Plavix Side Effects

In most cases, patients tolerate Plavix well. When Plavix side effects do occur, they may include such things as major bleeding, flu-like symptoms, headache, dizziness, and pain. Because Plavix may increase the risk of major life-threatening bleeding, it's important to watch for bleeding that takes longer than usual to stop or such things as bloody noses, blood in the stool, or vomiting blood.

 

Plavix Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects that may occur with Plavix®; however, not everyone who takes Plavix will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Plavix well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. In previous research studies, up to 13 percent of people taking Plavix stopped their medicine because of side effects.
 
(The side effects discussed below are NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Plavix [clopidogrel bisulfate]. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Plavix side effects with you.)
 

Common Plavix Side Effects

Plavix has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with over 17,500 people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to those that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. The Plavix side effects mentioned below occurred in more than 2 percent of people. They also occurred more often in the group taking Plavix. These common side effects associated with Plavix included:
 
  • Major bleeding -- up to 3.7 percent
  • Flu-like symptoms -- up to 7.5 percent
  • Headache -- up to 7.6 percent
  • Dizziness -- up to 6.2 percent
  • Pain -- up to 5.6 percent
  • Diarrhea -- up to 4.5 percent
  • Upset stomach or indigestion (dyspepsia) -- 5.2 percent
  • Bruising -- 5.3 percent
  • Bloody nose -- 2.9 percent
  • Unexplained rash -- 4.2 percent
  • Itchy skin -- 3.3 percent.
     
Because Plavix can increase the risk for major or life-threatening bleeding, contact your doctor immediately if you notice that it takes longer for bleeding to stop, you have any unusual bleeding, or have any of the following symptoms:
 
  • Bloody nose
  • Black, tarry stools
  • Blood in the urine or stools
  • Vomiting blood
  • Red or purple spots on the skin
  • Itchy skin or rash.
     
(Plavix Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;