Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
About Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
Clopidogrel+atorvastatin is used in the prevention of heart attack, myocardial infarction (blockage of the blood to muscles of the heart), angina (chest pain), and stroke. A heart attack occurs when your coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying blood and oxygen to the heart) become blocked due to the buildup of fats (plaque), including cholesterol.
Clopidogrel+atorvastatin is a combination of Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel. Atorvastatin blocks the ability of the body to produce bad cholesterol and improves the ability of the body to make good cholesterol. Clopidogrel works by decreasing the production of clots, which is harmful to the body.
Not everyone who is taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin will get these side effects. You may sometimes experience headaches, ankle swelling (oedema), slow heart rate, dizziness, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Inform your physician if you are allergic to Clopidogrel+atorvastatin. Before starting the dose of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin, let your doctor know if you are sensitive to atorvastatin or clopidogrel or have any active liver disease (liver enzyme abnormalities), active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), or muscle problems (myopathy or rhabdomyolysis), or if you are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Uses of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
Medicinal Benefits
- Atorvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body.
- Clopidogrel+atorvastatin helps lower the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL) and triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL).
- Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents clot formation in the blood vessels.
- It reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related chest pain (angina).
Directions for Use
- Clopidogrel+atorvastatin can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Clopidogrel+atorvastatin as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Atorvastatin+clopidogrel
- Stomach bleeding
- Nose bleeding
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach ulcer
- Muscle disease (like myopathy, rhabdomyolysis)
- Abdominal pain
Drug Warnings
- Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to Atorvastatin or clopidogrel, have any active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
- The patient should inform the doctor that they are taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken.
- Atorvastatin present in Clopidogrel+atorvastatin is a pregnancy category X drug, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. It may cause harm to the foetus if administered to pregnant women.
- The risk of muscle disease might increase if Clopidogrel+atorvastatin is taken with an antibiotic (clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir) and antifungal (itraconazole).
- Coadministration with anticoagulants like warfarin may cause gastric bleeding and other bleeding problems. So, if you are using any blood-thinning agents, let your doctor know.
- Clopidogrel+atorvastatin contains atorvastatin, which can cause muscle problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
- Patients with active liver disease should use the Clopidogrel+atorvastatin with caution.
- The safety and effectiveness of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin have not been established, so its use should be avoided in paediatric patients or children younger than ten years of age.
- Discontinuation of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin may lead to cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke and angina (heart-related chest pain). Hence, you should consult a doctor before stopping the dose of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Clopidogrel+atorvastatin interacts with antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (e.g. ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir), antifungal (e.g. itraconazole), blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, coumadin, heparin), anti-arthritis drug (e.g. colchicine), heart-related medicine (e.g. digoxin) and immune system affecting drug (e.g. cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcoholic beverages and grapefruit or its juice intake should be avoided with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin. It may interact with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin to produce unpleasant side effects like muscle problems and bleeding disorder.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Caution should be exercised while using Clopidogrel+atorvastatin in patients with active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), muscle problems or musculoskeletal problems (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis), asthma, and purpura (blood leakage under the skin).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeClopidogrel+atorvastatin should not be taken with alcohol as it may worsen your liver condition with increased secretion of liver enzymes like transaminase. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeClopidogrel+atorvastatin contains atorvastatin, which is a pregnancy category X medicine. It may cause harm to both the pregnant mother and the fetus. Hence, it is not recommended for pregnant women and those who are planning a pregnancy. Your doctor might prescribe it only in an extreme case.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorTake Clopidogrel+atorvastatin only when prescribed, as it is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Clopidogrel+atorvastatin usually causes blurry vision and may affect driving ability.
Liver
cautionClopidogrel+atorvastatin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionClopidogrel+atorvastatin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeClopidogrel+atorvastatin is not recommended for children below the age of 10 years. The safety and effectiveness of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin have not been established in children due to limited testing of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin on children by competent authorities worldwide.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A low-cholesterol diet along with a regular exercise regimen is found to complement treatment with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin effectively.
- Stick to a freshly prepared home-cooked meal and avoid processed, packaged foods that contain hidden sugar and extra calories.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) quickly.
- Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish and nuts contain many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so eating them regularly is beneficial.
- Include a diet enriched in fats like fish oils, polyunsaturated oils, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health.
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
Special Advise
If you have a high cholesterol level, try to have a lipid profile test (LFT) every 6 months.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol, and other substances known as plaque deposit on your artery walls that restrict blood flow. This plaque formation triggers blood clots, narrows the arteries' size, and hardens them. This, in turn, can lead to various heart complications like atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart-related chest pain (angina), and stroke. However, it can also affect the body's arteries apart from the heart.
FAQs
Clopidogrel+atorvastatin is used to treat Hyperlipidemia (Increased cholesterol), heart attack prevention, and stroke prevention.
Yes, Clopidogrel+atorvastatin contains clopidogrel which prevents blood clotting. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together and forming clots which in turn prevents the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Yes, taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin can increase the risk of bleeding as it contains aspirin and clopidogrel, which belong to a class of blood-thinning agents. So, please be very cautious while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or using sharp objects to avoid any bleeding. Let your doctor know before undergoing any surgical procedure that you are taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin.
No. Clopidogrel+atorvastatin contains Atorvastatin, which is a pregnancy category X medicine and can cause harm to both the pregnant mother and the unborn baby. Even if you are planning for pregnancy, tell your doctor that you are using Clopidogrel+atorvastatin.
Yes, prolonged use of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin may cause muscle diseases like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. So if you feel any musculoskeletal pain after taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin consult your doctor about this issue.
Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood-thinning effect of your medicine.
Drinking alcohol with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin may damage your liver and increase liver enzymes like transaminase. So, Clopidogrel+atorvastatin should be used with caution by those who consume alcohol and/or have a past history of liver disease.
If you accidentally take an overdose of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin you may have liver problems (increased secretion of liver enzymes) and bleeding complications. If problems persist you should immediately go to the nearby clinic or hospital.
You should have a total lipid profile (TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, TC) and Blood coagulation tests like Complete blood count (CBC), Factor V assay, Fibrinogen Test, Prothrombin time (PT or PT-INR), Platelet count, Thrombin time and Bleeding time to analyze your blood clot timing and cholesterol level.
Clopidogrel+atorvastatin may cause acidity in some cases. Stick to simple meals and avoid spicy food. Do not lie down immediately after eating, as it might cause acidity.
Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Avoid smoking and drinking, and try to work out every day.
Do not discontinue Clopidogrel+atorvastatin without consulting your doctor. Stopping using Clopidogrel+atorvastatin may worsen your condition and increase your risk of a future heart attack. To treat your condition effectively, keep taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin for the prescribed duration.
Yes, Clopidogrel+atorvastatin is good for cholesterol. It lowers bad cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol.
As Clopidogrel+atorvastatin may increase the risk of bleeding, the doctor may ask you to stop taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin before surgery or a dental procedure. Inform the doctor that you are taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin if you are due to undergo any surgery.
A low cholesterol diet along with a regular exercise regime is found to complement treatment with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin effectively. Avoid fast foods, fried and processed foods.
Paracetamol may be safe while taking Clopidogrel+atorvastatin as other painkillers may increase the risk of bleeding. However, consult the doctor before taking any painkillers with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin.
Consult the doctor before taking other medicines like antibiotics, anti-HIV drugs, antifungal medication, blood thinners, anti-arthritis drugs, heart-related medicines and immune system-affecting drugs with Clopidogrel+atorvastatin.
Store Clopidogrel+atorvastatin at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Side effects of Clopidogrel+atorvastatin include headaches, ankle swelling (oedema), slow heart rate, and nausea. If the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
