What are the Common Clopidogrel Side Effects?

Clopidogrel is often given to keep blood clots at bay, and also for stroke prevention. Unfortunately, there are various side effects associated with this drug, but the good news is that few patients experience them, and the most common ones are considered minor. For example, diarrhea, flu symptoms, and a headache are among the most common clopidogrel side effects, and though they should be reported to a doctor, they are not cause for concern in most cases. On the other hand, this medication is meant to treat issues related to blood, but may end up causing some negative effects such as a bloody nose or bloody vomit. Some side effects of this drug can be difficult for patients to spot, but may show up at the next doctor's appointment, such as reduced amount of platelets and the development of stomach ulcers.

Certain Clopidogrel side effects may be bothersome to patients, but are not necessarily life-threatening or require a doctor's immediate care. For instance, diarrhea, nausea, and a headache may come about, but typically can be treated with rest or medicine. Some people also notice flu symptoms, such as chills and body aches, along with dizziness and a skin rash. These clopidogrel side effects should likely be mentioned at the next doctor's appointment, but should not bar the patient from continuing the medication as usual.

Though this drug is meant to solve problems related to blood, such as clots, it can also have related side effects. For example, some patients notice bleeding that takes longer than it should to stop, which is especially noticeable when they have a bloody nose. Some people also begin vomiting blood or notice it in their stools or urine. Finally sudden bruising may show up on the body, showing that this medication is affecting the blood negatively. Most patients with any of these clopidogrel side effects are typically encouraged to call their doctor to find out if they should continue taking the drug.

Some clopidogrel side effects are not obvious to the average patient until a doctor's appointment. For instance, the amount of platelets in the blood may be reduced, and the number of cells in the immune system may also decrease. Some patients may also experience a stomach ulcer, though not everyone knows the symptoms of this condition, and thus may not be aware of its presence. On the other hand, some patients find certain clopidogrel side effects hard to ignore, such as fatigue that is caused by anemia, though of course they might not know the reason behind the issue until their doctor's appointment.