Plavix (clopidogrel) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain people. As with other drugs, Plavix can cause side effects, such as bleeding, which can be mild or serious.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Plavix to decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with:

* For this use, Plavix is given in combination with aspirin.

Plavix can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Plavix in clinical trials:

  • bleeding, such as nosebleeds
  • bruising
  • itching

For more information about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Plavix. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Plavix’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Plavix include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Plavix and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Plavix may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Plavix’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Plavix, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Plavix. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Plavix may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Plavix cause any different side effects in older adults?

No, it’s not likely. In clinical trials of Plavix, older adults (ages 65 years and over) reported the same side effects as other age groups. These side effects can include bruising and bleeding problems.

If you are an older adult and you have questions about side effects from Plavix, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If I stop taking Plavix 75 mg, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

No, withdrawal symptoms were not a reported side effect in Plavix’s clinical trials. Withdrawal symptoms are effects that happen after you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel as it typically would.

However, stopping Plavix can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Talk with your doctor before stopping Plavix. If you need to stop the drug for any reason, follow their instructions for doing so.

Can Plavix cause fatigue, hallucinations, or constipation?

Fatigue, hallucinations, and constipation were not reported in clinical trials of Plavix.

However, after the drug was available on the market, some people reported having hallucinations while taking Plavix. It’s not known whether this side effect was caused by Plavix or something else.

If you have fatigue, hallucinations, or constipation while taking Plavix, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing these symptoms.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Plavix may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Plavix.

Bruising

In clinical trials, bruising was a common side effect reported with Plavix.

Bruising happens when small blood vessels under the skin break and release blood. A bruise may appear discolored at first and then change in color and appearance as it heals. The bruised area may be painful or tender.

What you can do

Most bruises are small and will heal quickly. If a bruise is painful, you can apply an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time.

However, bruising can sometimes be serious. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about bruising, such as large bruises that don’t seem to be healing or getting better.

Nosebleeds

It’s possible to have nosebleeds during treatment with Plavix. In clinical trials, this side effect was common. Symptoms can include tasting blood, needing to swallow frequently, and bleeding from either nostril.

What you can do

Tell your doctor about any nosebleeds that won’t stop on their own or become severe.

To stop a nosebleed, you should:

  • sit down, lean forward, and breathe through your mouth
  • pinch the soft part of your nose shut for 10 to 15 minutes
  • after 15 minutes, let go of your nose and see if it starts bleeding again
  • place an ice pack or cold cloth against your nose and face to reduce bleeding
  • avoid exercise or heavy lifting after a nosebleed

Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room for a nosebleed that continues for more than 15 minutes or makes you feel lightheaded (as if you’re going to pass out). You should also talk with your doctor if your nosebleed is very heavy, with blood rushing out your nostrils and down your throat.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TPP) is a side effect that was reported after Plavix was released on the market.

TTP is a serious condition that can be life threatening. It happens when tiny blood clots form throughout your body. Symptoms can include:

  • feeling tired and weak
  • fever
  • headache
  • stroke
  • being unable to catch your breath
  • increased heart rate
  • change in skin tone
  • small red or purple rash all over your body

What you can do

If you have symptoms of TPP, call your doctor right away. If the symptoms seem life threatening or you think you are having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Itching

In clinical trials of Plavix, itching was a common side effect. Itching may go away on its own or may be a sign of an allergic reaction.

What you can do

Tell your doctor about any itching you develop while taking Plavix. They may be able to recommend ways to manage this side effect, such as taking an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

If the itching occurs with any symptoms of an allergic reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. See “Allergic reaction” below for more details.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Plavix can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may be able to recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Plavix. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Plavix comes with several precautions. Read on for more details.

Boxed warning: Drug metabolism problem in certain people

This drug has a boxed warning for a risk of drug metabolism problems in certain people. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In your body, Plavix is metabolized (processed) by the liver to its active form. This happens through an enzyme (protein) called CYP2C19. However, if you’re missing this enzyme, you may not be able to metabolize Plavix. Because of this, the drug may not work as it should.

Your doctor may check your CYP2C19 function before prescribing Plavix to check whether your body is able to metabolize the drug.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Plavix. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Risk of bleeding. Plavix increases your risk of bleeding. If you take other medications that affect your platelets, you may be at an increased risk of this side effect. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you take, including any over-the-counter medications such as Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen).

If you’re bleeding from an injury or recent surgery, talk with your doctor before taking Plavix. They’ll likely recommend that you give your body time to heal before taking this drug. If you have any health conditions that increase your risk of bleeding, such as hemophilia, tell your doctor. They may decide Plavix is not the best treatment option for you.

Surgery. If you’re planning on having surgery, your doctor may advise you to stop taking Plavix beforehand. However, stopping Plavix can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendation about Plavix if you’re having surgery.

Kidney problems. Let your doctor know if you have any problems with your kidneys. Plavix may not work as well for you if your kidneys aren’t functioning effectively.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Plavix or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Plavix. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol with Plavix

There are no known interactions between Plavix and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol can irritate your stomach and intestines. Over time, this irritation may lead to ulcers (sores) and bleeding. Taking Plavix may make these conditions worse.

If you’d like to drink alcohol while you’re taking Plavix, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on how much alcohol, if any, may be safe for you.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Plavix

Plavix has not been clinically trialed in pregnant humans. However, reports of people taking Plavix during pregnancy have not shown harm to the fetus.

Plavix has not caused fetal harm in animal studies. However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you’re pregnant and taking Plavix, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop the drug 5–7 days before you give birth. This is because Plavix increases the risk of serious bleeding during labor.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Plavix during pregnancy.

It’s not known whether Plavix may pass into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed. However, animal studies have shown that the drug passes into animal milk.

If you’re breastfeeding or considering it, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you stop breastfeeding or that you try another treatment than Plavix.

Similar to other drugs, Plavix can cause side effects. Some of them are mild, and others, such as bleeding, are serious. If you’d like to learn more about Plavix, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Plavix. For details about other aspects of Plavix, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To learn how Plavix compares with Eliquis, read this article.
  • Dosage. For information about the dosage of Plavix, view this article.
  • Interactions. To find out about Plavix’s interactions, see this article.
  • A look at helping to prevent certain cardiovascular events. For details about certain cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, see our cardiovascular health hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.