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What Are The Side Effects Of Plavix And Lipitor?
Had coronary angioplasty in which stint and balloon were placed on arteries March 23rd. Doctor would not see me until June, so I found another doctor and had another angioplasty on Friday to fix damage from first one and place 3 stents in coronary arteries. I have had problems with the medications, plavix, lipitor, ranexa and so medications were changed and dosage was cut in half. I'm 58, 5' 2 1/2 ", weigh 123 lbs. I have high colesterol
Mom and dad had same problem.
Mom and dad had same problem.
Wed, 30 Jul 2014
Thank you for the query.
As per the information provided, you are 58yrs old (gender not mentioned), with a BMI of 22.4 kg/m2 (acceptable), suffering from coronary artery disease (PTCA done twice) and dyslipidemia, along with a family history. The drugs you have been placed on are Lipitor (Atorvastatin), Plavix (Clopidogrel) and Ranexa (Ranolazine). I would like to enquire what side-effects were you exactly facing with these drugs.
Basically coronary stents can be of two types - Bare metal stent and Drug Eluting Stent (DES). DES is commonly used nowadays, and long term antiplatelet therapy is essential for them. Hence, in your case if it is a DES, then Plavix cannot be stopped. You have dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), hence Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a very important drug in your regime. Ranolazine has a role in the metabolic management of cardiac disease.
Now let me come to the side effects. Clopidogrel (Plavix), being a blood thinner (antiplatelet drug), leads to increased chances of bleeding (for example gastrointestinal bleeding). Some also report gastritis and rashes. Major bleeding can occur if taken with other blood thinner (like aspirin) or anticoagulants. Atorvastatin can lead to deranged liver function test and muscle pain (myopathy). There can be minor effects like rashes, nausea and flatulence. If you are on Atorvastatin, monitoring of liver function test and serum CPK is recommended.
Though I have mentioned the side-effects, the beneficial effects of these drugs are immense. In case you are facing intolerable side-effects, please consult you treating doctor.
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Dr.Ayusmati Thakur
As per the information provided, you are 58yrs old (gender not mentioned), with a BMI of 22.4 kg/m2 (acceptable), suffering from coronary artery disease (PTCA done twice) and dyslipidemia, along with a family history. The drugs you have been placed on are Lipitor (Atorvastatin), Plavix (Clopidogrel) and Ranexa (Ranolazine). I would like to enquire what side-effects were you exactly facing with these drugs.
Basically coronary stents can be of two types - Bare metal stent and Drug Eluting Stent (DES). DES is commonly used nowadays, and long term antiplatelet therapy is essential for them. Hence, in your case if it is a DES, then Plavix cannot be stopped. You have dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), hence Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a very important drug in your regime. Ranolazine has a role in the metabolic management of cardiac disease.
Now let me come to the side effects. Clopidogrel (Plavix), being a blood thinner (antiplatelet drug), leads to increased chances of bleeding (for example gastrointestinal bleeding). Some also report gastritis and rashes. Major bleeding can occur if taken with other blood thinner (like aspirin) or anticoagulants. Atorvastatin can lead to deranged liver function test and muscle pain (myopathy). There can be minor effects like rashes, nausea and flatulence. If you are on Atorvastatin, monitoring of liver function test and serum CPK is recommended.
Though I have mentioned the side-effects, the beneficial effects of these drugs are immense. In case you are facing intolerable side-effects, please consult you treating doctor.
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Dr.Ayusmati Thakur
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