Clopidogrel Side Effects
For the Consumer
Applies to clopidogrel: oral tablet
Warning
Oral route (Tablet)
The effectiveness of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate results from its antiplatelet activity, which is dependent on its conversion to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19. Clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate at recommended doses forms less of the active metabolite and so has a reduced effect on platelet activity in patients who are homozygous for nonfunctional alleles of the CYP2C19 gene, (termed “CYP2C19 poor metabolizers”). Tests are available to identify patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers. Consider use of another platelet P2Y12 inhibitor in patients identified as CYP2C19 poor metabolizers..
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention
Along with its needed effects, clopidogrel may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clopidogrel:
More common
- Chest pain
- collection of blood under the skin
- deep, dark purple bruise
- itching, pain, redness, or swelling
- pain in general
- red or purple spots on the skin, varying in size from pinpoint to large bruises
Less common
- Nosebleed
- painful or difficult urination
- shortness of breath
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Rare
- Black, tarry stools
- blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin
- blood in the urine or stools
- confusion
- fever, chills, or sore throat
- headache (sudden, severe)
- nausea or vomiting
- stomach pain (severe)
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- weakness (sudden)
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or swelling
- back pain or backaches
- blurred vision
- change in mental status
- cough or hoarseness
- dark urine
- difficulty with breathing or swallowing
- difficulty with speaking
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of discomfort
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- hives
- inflammation of the joints
- itching
- light-colored stools
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches
- pale color of the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rash
- reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
- seizures
- sweating
- swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
- swollen lymph glands
- swollen or painful glands
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- upper right abdominal or stomach pain
- watery or bloody diarrhea
- wheezing
- yellow eyes or skin
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention
Some side effects of clopidogrel may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- bloating
- change in taste
- constipation
- diarrhea
- difficulty with moving
- headache
- hives or welts
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- muscle pain or stiffness
- noisy breathing
- pain in the joints
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- redness, soreness, or itching skin
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- skin blisters
- sores, welting, or blisters
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to clopidogrel: oral tablet
General
The most commonly reported adverse effect was bleeding, including life threatening and fatal bleeding.[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatal bleeding, eosinophilia, leucopenia, increased bleeding time, thrombocytopenia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Neutropenia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Decreased platelet count
Postmarketing reports: Serious cases of bleeding (mainly skin), hemarthrosis, hematoma, hemorrhage of operative wound, fatal hemorrhage (intracranial, gastrointestinal, and retroperitoneal), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), acquired hemophilia A, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, anemia[Ref]
In the COMMIT study (n=45,852), the incidence of major non-cerebral or cerebral bleeding was 0.6% in clopidogrel plus aspirin treated patients, with 0.4% classified as major non-cerebral (0.2% fatal) and 0.2% as hemorrhagic stroke (0.2% fatal). Non-major noncerebral bleeding or any noncerebral bleeding occurred in 3.6% and 3.9% of patients receiving this drug plus aspirin, respectively. Major bleeds were defined as cerebral bleeds or non-cerebral bleeds thought to have caused death or that required transfusion.
In the CURE study (n=12,562), the incidence of fatal bleeding (0.2%) and intracranial hemorrhage (0.1%) was the same between clopidogrel with aspirin and placebo with aspirin groups.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea, gastritis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting, flatulence, constipation, gastric, peptic, or duodenal ulcer
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Retroperitoneal hemorrhage
Postmarketing reports: Colitis (ulcerative or lymphocytic), pancreatitis, stomatitis[Ref]
In the CAPRIE study (n=19,185), gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in 2% of patients taking clopidogrel compared to 2.7% taking aspirin. Bleeding requiring hospitalization occurred in 0.7% clopidogrel-treated and 1.1% aspirin-treated patients.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, anaphylactic reactions, cross reactive hypersensitivity among thienopyridines (e.g. ticlopidine, prasugrel), hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, hypertension, angina pectoris, coronary artery disorder, peripheral ischemia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hematoma
Postmarketing reports: Hypotension, syncope, vasculitis[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vertigo, intracranial hemorrhage
Postmarketing reports: Taste disturbances, ageusia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain
Postmarketing reports: Arthritis, myalgia, musculoskeletal bleeding[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Depression
Postmarketing reports: Hallucinations, confusion[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, dyspnea, rhinitis, coughing, bronchitis, epistaxis
Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm, interstitial pneumonitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, respiratory tract bleeding (hemoptysis, pulmonary hemorrhage)[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash, purpura, pruritus, bruising
Postmarketing reports: Maculopapular, erythematous, or exfoliative rash, urticaria, bullous dermatitis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), eczema, lichen planus[Ref]
In CAPRIE (n=19,185), 4.2% of patients receiving clopidogrel developed a rash compared to 3.5% in the aspirin group. In CURE (n=12,562), 1.3% treated with clopidogrel and aspirin compared to 1.1% placebo, as well as 0.7% of patients in CLARITY (n=3491) reported a rash. Drug discontinuation due to skin disorders in CAPRIE was 0.8% and in CURE 0.4% of patients.[Ref]
Hepatic
Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis (noninfectious), acute liver failure, abnormal liver function tests[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Hypercholesterolemia[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Postmarketing reports: Hematuria[Ref]
Ocular
Postmarketing reports: Eye bleeds (conjunctival, ocular, retinal)[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Accidental/inflicted injury, influenza-like symptoms, pain, fatigue, infection
Postmarketing reports: Fever[Ref]
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria
Postmarketing reports: Glomerulopathy, serum creatinine increase[Ref]
Immunologic
Postmarketing reports: Serum sickness, insulin autoimmune syndrome[Ref]
Endocrine
Postmarketing reports: Gynecomastia[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Puncture site bleeding[Ref]
References
1. "Product Information. Plavix (clopidogrel)." Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
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