Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 - (Page 26)

Geriatrics: When taking aspirin with PLAVIX the risk of serious bleeding increases with age in patients 65 and over. Stroke Patients: If you have had a recent TIA (also known as a mini-stroke) or stroke taking aspirin with PLAVIX has not been shown to be more effective than taking PLAVIX alone, but taking aspirin with PLAVIX has been shown to increase the risk of bleeding compared to taking PLAVIX alone. Surgery: Inform doctors and dentists well in advance of any surgery that you are taking PLAVIX so they can help you decide whether or not to discontinue your PLAVIX treatment prior to surgery. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT TAKING OTHER MEDICINES WITH PLAVIX? You should only take aspirin with PLAVIX when directed to do so by your doctor. Certain other medicines should not be taken with PLAVIX. Be sure to tell your doctor about all of your current medications, especially if you are taking the following: • aspirin • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) • warfarin • heparin Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking PLAVIX before starting any new medication. WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF PLAVIX? The most common side effects of PLAVIX include gastrointestinal events (bleeding, abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea) and rash. This is not a complete list of side effects associated with PLAVIX. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. HOW SHOULD I TAKE PLAVIX? Only take PLAVIX exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop taking PLAVIX without talking to your doctor first. PLAVIX should be taken around the same time every day, and it can be taken with or without food. If you miss a day, do not double up on your medication. Just continue your usual dose. If you have any questions about taking your medications, please consult your doctor. OVERDOSAGE As with any prescription medicine, it is possible to overdose on PLAVIX. If you think you may have overdosed, immediately call your doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest emergency room. FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information on PLAVIX, call 1-800-633-1610 or visit www.PLAVIX.com. Neither of these resources, nor the information contained here, can take the place of talking to your doctor. Only your doctor knows the specifics of your condition and how PLAVIX fits into your overall therapy. It is therefore important to maintain an ongoing dialogue with your doctor concerning your condition and your treatment. Distributed by: Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership New York, NY 10016 PLAVIX® is a registered trademark of sanofi-aventis. PLA-OCT07-B-Aa WHO IS PLAVIX FOR? PLAVIX is a prescription-only medicine that helps keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. PLAVIX is for patients who have: • had a recent heart attack. • had a recent stroke. • poor circulation in their legs (Peripheral Artery Disease). PLAVIX in combination with aspirin is for patients hospitalized with: • heart-related chest pain (unstable angina). • heart attack. Doctors may refer to these conditions as ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome). Clots can become dangerous when they form inside your arteries. These clots form when blood platelets stick together, forming a blockage within your arteries, restricting blood flow to your heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE PLAVIX? You should NOT take PLAVIX if you: • are allergic to clopidogrel (the active ingredient in PLAVIX). • have a stomach ulcer • have another condition that causes bleeding. • are pregnant or may become pregnant. • are breast feeding. WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING PLAVIX? Before taking PLAVIX, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or are breast feeding or have any of the following: • gastrointestinal ulcer • stomach ulcer(s) • liver problems • kidney problems • a history of bleeding conditions WHAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PLAVIX? TTP: A very serious blood condition called TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) has been rarely reported in people taking PLAVIX. TTP is a potentially life-threatening condition that involves low blood platelet and red blood cell levels, and requires urgent referral to a specialist for prompt treatment once a diagnosis is suspected. Warning signs of TTP may include fever, unexplained confusion or weakness (due to a low blood count, what doctors call anemia). To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will need to order blood tests. TTP has been reported rarely, sometimes in less than 2 weeks after starting therapy. Gastrointestinal Bleeding: There is a potential risk of gastrointestinal (stomach and intestine) bleeding when taking PLAVIX. PLAVIX should be used with caution in patients who have lesions that may bleed (such as ulcers), along with patients who take drugs that cause such lesions. Bleeding: You may bleed more easily and it may take you longer than usual to stop bleeding when you take PLAVIX alone or in combination with aspirin. Report any unusual bleeding to your doctor. http://www.PLAVIX.com http://www.PLAVIX.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008 Contents Friendly Faces For Your Health 'Tis the Season to be Safe Eat Your Veggies Joint Effort Fresh Beginnings Decades of Opportunity Keeping Score Your Big Give Roll Up Your Sleeve Tidings of Comfort and Health Blueprint for Safety The Smoke-Free Mom-to-Be Childbirth Trends Moms Choosing Midwives Community Sections Dollars & Sense Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2008

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