Clopidogrel and Bruising: What Users Say

• FOO...
• April 23, 2011

Clopidogrel 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."

• Mik...
• February 8, 2013

Clopidogrel for Peripheral Arterial Disease "I've been taking Plavix 75 and a baby aspirin for 9 months now after stent placement in the back of my heart. So far, no side effects except bruising. I am 65 years old, male with heart disease. Can't take any statins because they cause too much leg muscle pain."

• old...
• January 7, 2011

Clopidogrel 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2018

For Peripheral Arterial Disease "I have been on Plavix for about 5 years since I had a stent placed. Since I have been on this medication, my bruising is horrific. I have severe calf and leg pain. I had a complete ultrasound and Doppler done, the vascular surgeon doesn't see anything. I don't know what to do anymore. The cardiologist told me I need to take Plavix for the rest of my life. I am getting a second opinion for sure... Has anyone experienced this?"

• Alf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2019

Clopidogrel for Ischemic Stroke "I was placed on Plavix after having a stroke, it was a silent stroke, and I did not even know I had a stroke until I had an MRI and a CAT scan done. The cause of my stroke apparently was high cholesterol, very high. I was placed on a starting dose of 300 mg, then on a daily dose of 75 mg for 90 days. I am currently at the two-month mark and will be taken off of it in October. I have not even noticed that I am on this medication, other than some bruises that I have developed mysteriously on my legs that are about the size of a dime to a half a dollar and about six of them at any given time."

• lib...
• April 30, 2010

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "I have severe bruising on my arms from very thin skin. I have debated for a long time about taking Plavix. I started taking it 9 years ago when I had a very mild heart attack and a stent in a 90% blocked artery. There was another artery that was 60% blocked which they told me should be watched. 6 months ago, I had a heart catheter and they said the blockage was gone, and they didn't know why. My doctor said that I should continue taking Plavix, and that stopping probably wouldn't help the bruising and thin skin. So that is what I will do."

• Cor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 14, 2019

Clopidogrel for Transient Ischemic Attack "Have been on 75 mg Plavix and 81 mg aspirin for 14 years after having a stent placed in the carotid artery. Only side effect had been easy bruising until my last shipment of clopidogrel from Dr. Reddy’s Lab. The shape of the pill has changed (now white and much larger). Now, after 30 days of use, I have very large dark purplish bruises on my forearms. Looks like senile purpura. Need to find another producer of generic Plavix!"

• ske...
• June 24, 2009

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "I guess it is working great to relieve the possibility of clots, for I have no sign of a clot returning. However, I am covered in bruises, and my stomach is in knots more, I feel bloated and uncomfortable. I am unable to drink even a small amount of coffee in the morning, even a few hours after having taken the dose. That being said, I have to take it for at least a year after my heart attack, so I guess I have to deal with these side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 14, 2012

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "I am 30 years old. I had a mild heart attack in the first week of May 2012. I had 95% blockage. I had a stent put in and I'm taking 75 mg of Plavix and aspirin regimen. I bruise really easily but no side effects that I know of yet."

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

Clopidogrel 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."

• luv...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2015

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "Been on Plavix for 3 years, since I had a quad CABG surgery. Just had two additional stents put in on January 6, 2015. The first two stents were open, no clots, no tissue buildup. I do have some bruising, but not extensive bleeding when I receive a cut. Thankful to stay alive."

• Vud...
• October 5, 2009

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "I've been using Plavix for a couple of years now since I had 2 angioplasties. It works just fine. However, some of the drawbacks are: - easy bruising and long recovery time - easy bleeding from injuries, so don't take chances - my doctor told me I'd have to take Plavix for the rest of my life - cost is no concern since my insurance pays all but $9.00 per month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 20, 2012

Clopidogrel for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention "Have been on Plavix since 1/11 following ant. myocardial infarction with stents. Experienced moderate bruising. Have been taking generic medicine for the past 2 months, but I am experiencing severe bruising. Will be seeing a cardiologist in Oct. to get a medically necessary prescription for brand Plavix."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2011

Clopidogrel "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."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2010

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "Easy to bruise, a bit of a bleeder, but I'm still alive after 2 years. Other clogged arteries are stable. Good news... I've been also told I'm a lifer. No side effects that I can tell other than the minor ones above."

• jse...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 16, 2019

For Ischemic Stroke, Prophylaxis "Mild TIA 6 yrs. ago. Was already on one 81 mg aspirin a day when it happened. They put me on Crestor to literally crush the LDL cholesterol and a horrendous drug that I could not tolerate called Aggrenox...(a beefed-up version of aspirin with a vasodilator). I had to stop when the daily headaches and ringing in the ears became unbearable. They switched me to my usual aspirin and 75 mg of Plavix daily. Thank God 6 years later and no more episodes. I feel nothing from the Plavix and bruise very little from the Plavix. So it makes me wonder at times if it's working at all??? Apparently, there are some people who lack an enzyme to process it, and there are tests for this. Has anyone received such a test??? And if so, did your insurance cover it?"

• Sun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2018

Clopidogrel for Heart Attack "Heart attack 2010. Stent in right coronary artery (RCA). Was on brand name Plavix for 6 years, 75 mg. Switched to generic 2 years ago. I have noticed bruises, and my ALT (liver enzyme) has gone up. The first time ever. I am a phlebotomist. Trying to find coupon for brand name coupon."

• Rob...
• January 8, 2018

For Ischemic Stroke "Three ischemic strokes in July 2002. Had carotid endarterectomy and graft of the inner left carotid. Taking Plavix (clopidogrel) since August 2002. The first 6 months I had bruising... a lot. Some chest tightness for a week or so. Had a stress test which showed long-suspected heart abnormalities. Now, Jan. 2018."

• pla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 20, 2023

For Ischemic Stroke "Had 3 strokes due to blood clots in 2017 at 23 years old, have a PFO in heart which they won't close, so put me on clopidogrel. Sometimes get dizzy and occasional bruising, but so far working and had no more strokes since."

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

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

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2023

For Ischemic Stroke "This is an awful drug, and I hate taking it. I have had itching, bruising, and nosebleeds since starting it. The doctor says there is no alternative to clopidogrel, but I am sure there is."

• Too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2022

Clopidogrel for Platelet Aggregation Inhibition "I was put on Plavix after stents were placed in my intestines. I had bad bruising, dizziness, listlessness. Had to change to Brilinta, then at 6 months changed to aspirin 325."

• dti...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 1, 2017

Clopidogrel for Ischemic Stroke "Causes extensive bruising but is effective in its role as a blood thinner."

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2017

Clopidogrel for Platelet Aggregation Inhibition "I have Afib, take this to stop any clotting. I've had no problems except minor bruising."

• dyl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2016

For Ischemic Stroke "Some of the side effects I've noticed are dizziness, bruising, and bleeding, none of which, in my opinion, is that bad and tolerable."