Aspirin vs. Plavix

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

Aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) are used to prevent blood clots, and to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Aspirin is also used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation in the body.

Plavix is also used to treat patients with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral vascular disease.

Aspirin and Plavix belong to different drug classes. Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and Plavix is an antiplatelet agent.

Brand names for aspirin include Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, and Bufferin.

Common side effects of Aspirin include:

• rash,
• gastrointestinal ulcerations,
• abdominal pain,
• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• cramping,
• nausea,
• gastritis, and
• bleeding

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.

Aspirin (aspirin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for treating fever, pain, inflammation in the body, prevention of blood clots, and reduction of the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

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.

Aspirin may interact with other salicylates such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate.

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.

Bayer Aspirin dose ranges from 50 mg to 6000 mg daily.

The recommended dose of Plavix for most patients is 5 mg taken orally twice daily.

The recommended dose of Plavix is 2.5 mg twice daily in patients with at least two of the following characteristics:

• age ≥ 80 years
• body weight ≤ 60 kg
• serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL

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.