Clopidogrel HCS

Company: Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.
Legal category: Prescription. GMS. Sport Permitted.
Active ingredient: Clopidogrel (as hydrochloride) 75mg.
Description: Pink, round and slightly convex film-coated tablets.
Presentation: 28, price on request.
Indications: Prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients suffering from myocardial infarction (from a few days until less than 35 days), ischaemic stroke (from 7 days until less than 6 months) or established peripheral arterial disease.

Pharmacology: Clopidogrel selectively inhibits the binding of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to its platelet receptor, and the subsequent ADP-mediated activation of the GPIIb/IIIa complex, thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Dosage: Adult: Administer as a single daily dose of 75mg with or without food. Elderly: As per adults. Children and adolescents: Not recommended.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Severe liver impairment. Active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial haemorrhage. Pregnancy, lactation (precautionary measure).
Special precautions: Caution with: Patients who may be at risk of increased bleeding from trauma, surgery or other pathological conditions or treatment, including lesions with a propensity to bleed (particularly gastrointestinal and intraocular). Renal impairment, patients with moderate hepatic disease who may have bleeding diatheses. Discontinue 7 days prior to surgery. Monitor carefully for any signs of bleeding, especially during the first weeks of treatment and/or after invasive cardiac procedures or surgery, and perform blood count and appropriate test if bleeding suspected. Not recommended during the 1st 7 days after acute ischaemic stroke. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) reported very rarely. Contains hydrogenated castor oil which may cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
Drug interactions: Not recommended: Anticoagulants. Caution: ASA, heparin, thrombolytics, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including Cox 2 inhibitors.
Adverse drug reactions: Haematoma, epistaxis, GI disorders, bruising, bleeding at puncture site.
Full prescribing information and references available from Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland. Telephone: 1800 201700.