You may have recently been put on a medication called Plavix to help prevent unwanted blood clots If so, you may be justifiably concerned about potential Plavix side effects. Plavix is well tolerated by most people, although there is a small risk of developing bleeding from your gastrointestinal tract while on this medication. This occurs in about 2.0% of people who start treatment with Plavix and may be serious enough to require hospitalization. When you compare to the bleeding rate from aspirin at 2.7%, you can see the risk of gastrointestinal bleed from Plavix is slightly lower. 

Because of the small risk of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, it’s important to watch for black, very dark, or tarry bowel movements or vomiting dark, coffee ground material If these symptoms occur, you should contact your doctor immediately. To reduce the risk of bleeding, it’s important to avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or any anti-inflammatory prescription without your doctor’s consent while on Plavix. Use of these medications in conjunction with Plavix can increase your risk for serious bleeding problems. 

You should also not take Plavix if you have a history of a blood clotting disorder, history or a stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis, history of stroke, liver disease, or kidney disease. If  you’re pregnant, your doctor should be informed, although Plavix isn’t known to cause harm to the unborn fetus. 

Because of the small risk of bleeding while on Plavix, it’s important to contact your doctor if you develop: nosebleeds; excessive bruising; cough up blood; develop a sudden headache, confusion, or disorientation; weakness or numbness on one side of the body. These are potentially serious Plavix side effects that require immediate evaluation. Also seek immediate medical attention if you develop facial swelling or swelling of the tongues, lips, eyes or lower extremities. These may be signs of an allergic reaction to Plavix You should also make your doctor aware of any other medications you’re taking due to the potential for drug interactions. 

Other less serious side effects that can occur while on Plavix include dizziness, slight fatigue, and indigestion which usually don’t require discontinuation of the medication. It’s important to be aware of these potential Plavix side effects and to follow up regularly with your doctor for periodic blood checks to assess kidney and liver function. 

By being aware and informed, you can reap the many benefits of Plavix therapy and detect serious Plavix side effects before they become a problem.