Plavix and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2020

For Ischemic Stroke "After the stroke, the neurologist put me on Plavix with a strict warning about excessive bleeding. I was even told not to use a blade when shaving. I had a bad stroke and a difficult recovery with all kinds of issues, but after a paper cut that bled for 4 hours and a couple of all-day nosebleeds, I asked to be taken off. The GP put me on low-dose aspirin, which has worked well for me. I feel better and bleed normally now."

• FOO...
• April 23, 2011

For Heart Attack "I didn't have a heart attack, but was getting ready for one when I had an angiogram and then had 3 stents put in my right coronary artery. I have been taking Plavix for the last month with no problems. The doctors tell me I will be on Plavix for the rest of my life. At this point in my life (64) I have a cast iron stomach. Because of the aspirin I have been taking for years (perhaps the reason I didn't have a heart attack), I bruise easily and bleed profusely. Different bodies, different results. I'll try to check back in a year and update my experience."

• JMB...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 7, 2021

For Heart Attack "Just spent 5 days in the hospital with my father, who passed out at home from anemia caused by internal bleeding. Neuro, oncology, and gastro docs all urged that he stop Plavix immediately. We had to wait 5 days for an endoscopy/colonoscopy to clear his body of Plavix while they pumped him with iron and blood transfusions. If you are on Plavix or a loved one is, PLEASE ask your doctors about risk/benefits and internal bleeding risks regularly. Just because it helped for a specific problem at some point does NOT mean it should be a blanket prescription for 10+ years. Ask. Be annoying. Save your life or your parent's life. My father still needs more tests but will probably be on iron therapy for the remainder of his life as the damage is now irreversible."

• old...
• January 7, 2011

For Heart Attack "I have been on Plavix for a little over 5 years. It was prescribed by my cardiologist following a vascular blockage and placement of a stent. Other than bruising and bleeding at the slightest contact, I have had no known side effects. I give Plavix a 10 because I am still kicking at 73."

• Tim...
• September 13, 2011

For Heart Attack "I have been taking Plavix from the day it came on the market because of my unique clotting problem. My heart doctor has me on both Plavix and 325 mg of aspirin once daily. When I developed atrial fibrillation, they put me on warfarin also. Then I started having bleeding problems. They took me off the warfarin and I was fine on the Plavix and aspirin, no clot problems encountered."

• Lot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2019

For Peripheral Arterial Disease "Lots of bruising and bleeding. The worst part now is hives every day, only on one side of my body. It didn’t do anything to help after stents. My legs both got worse after surgery, and Plavix didn’t stop the stents from clogging up. I keep taking it until I see my PCP next week to see what to do. The vascular surgeon isn’t much help."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2011

"Don't like the tendency to bruise and bleed, but this keeps me alive. Had an ischemic clot in my small intestine and had a bowel resection. Docs found a hole between chambers in my heart that was allowing small clots to circulate. Choices were open-heart surgery or go on Plavix and aspirin. Price is a bit steep and keeps going up."

• joh...
• May 29, 2010

For Acute Coronary Syndrome "Makes me tired sometimes and bleed a lot when cut, but a necessary drug for me. 6 heart attacks and quadruple bypass surgery all in 1 day. That was Easter of 2008. Still alive... but not the man I used to be."

• 11t...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2012

For Ischemic Stroke "Fatigue, weakness, bad bruising, bleeding, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache."

• bor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 26, 2014

For Heart Attack "I've had 2 stents and have been on Plavix for 12 years, and apart from bruising easily and a bit more bleeding than normal, it's been good."

• wen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2017

For Heart Attack "I seem just fine with Plavix. I just stay cold all the time, and it takes a long time to stop the bleeding if I get a cut."