PLAVIX- helping to reduce the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.

Many blood pressure and cholesterol medicines do not work to reduce clot formation. PLAVIX, unlike blood pressure and cholesterol medicines, works to help keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots. That's why PLAVIX, in combination with your other heart medicines, as prescribed by your doctor, may be right for you.

Heart-related chest pain, heart attack, ischemic stroke (the most common type of stroke), and peripheral artery disease, or P.A.D.—poor circulation in the legs, which may cause pain or heaviness in the legs during exercise, such as walking, that may be relieved by rest—are all serious medical conditions. What do they have in common? One answer lies with sticky platelets and the blood clots they can form in your arteries.

Plavix Indications:

* Prevention of vascular ischemic events in patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis

* Acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI), along with aspirin

* ST elevation MI (STEMI)

It is also used, along with aspirin, for the prevention of thrombosis after placement of intracoronary stent.

International guidelines granted the highest grade of recommendation for NSTE-ACS, PCI and stent, for Plavix in addition to Aspirin. Consensus-based therapeutic guidelines recommend also the use of Plavix , instead of aspirin, in patients requiring antiplatelet therapy but with a history of gastric ulceration, as inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins by aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can exacerbate this condition.

A recent study has shown that in patients with healed aspirin-induced ulcers, however, patients receiving aspirin plus the proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole had a lower incidence of recurrent ulcer bleeding than patients receiving Plavix.

PLAVIX works differently than blood pressure and cholesterol medicines:

PLAVIX is proven to help keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots. This enables blood to flow more easily, helping to reduce the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.

Side Effects of PLAVIX

PLAVIX is generally well-tolerated, but it is not for everyone. Your therapy is designed for your individual condition and medical history. Discuss any side effetcs of PLAVIX you may experience with your doctor. Your doctor will explain if there are any circumstances under which you should discontinue your therapy.

In clinical trials, the most common side effects were severe itching (pruritus), a severe rash characterized by the appearance of purplish spots or patches (purpura), diarrhea, and rash. Less common, but serious, side effects of PLAVIX may occur.

Remember, your doctor is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your health, your medicine, or experience any side effects of PLAVIX.