Plavix vs. Lovenox

• Are Lovenox and Plavix the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Plavix?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lovenox?
• What is Plavix?
• What is Lovenox?
• What Drugs Interact with Plavix?
• What Drugs Interact with Lovenox?
• How Should Plavix Be Taken?
• How Should Lovenox Be Taken?

Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) and Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) are anticoagulants (blood thinners) that inhibit aspects of blood clotting and are used to treat patients with acute coronary syndrome, heart attack (myocardial infarction), peripheral vascular disease, and ischemic strokes.

Common side effects of Plavix include:

• easy bleeding and bruising;
• pain, redness, warmth, irritation, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;
• itching of your feet; or
• bluish-colored skin.

Thrombocytopenia, lovenox-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and lovenox-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT) are serious side effects of lovenox.

Common side effects of Lovenox include:

• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• fever,
• swelling in your hands or feet, or
• injection site reactions (swelling, pain, bruising, or redness).

Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is a thienopyridine class of drug that inhibits platelet aggregation and thus inhibits aspects of blood clotting used to treat patients with acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), peripheral vascular disease and some stroke (ischemic type) patients. Plavix is available in generic form.

Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) Injection is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent blood clots that are sometimes called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs. A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness. Lovenox is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attacks called non-Q-wave myocardial infarction or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Plavix may interact with other blood thinners, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Plavix may also interact with armodafinil, modafinil, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, gemfibrozil, isoniazid, cancer medications, stomach acid reducers, antifungals, HIV medications, or seizure medications.

Lovenox may interact with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other medicines to prevent blood clots.

Lovenox may also interact with dextran.

Plavix is supplied as 75 and 300 mg tablets. For acute coronary syndrome with a non-ST elevation MI, the initial recommended dose is 300 mg, followed by a 75 mg dose per day; for ST elevation MIs, the initial and continuing dose is 75 mg per day. The recommended dose is 75 mg per day for patient with a history of MI, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. Many doctors may choose to add an aspirin per day along with the Plavix dose in both non-ST elevation and ST elevation MIs as well as to stroke and peripheral vascular disease patients.

Dose of Lovenox depends on the condition of the patient and the type of surgery being performed.