Clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is a medicine used to treat cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, etc. Here we will explain about main uses, the dosage of administration, Side effects, and precautions while the administration. Also, explain briefly about nursing responsibilities while administering the clopidogrel.

Brand Name:

Plavix, Clopigrel, Clopilet, Clopitab

Class and Category

Therapeutic Class: Platelet aggregation inhibitor

Pregnancy Category: B, No risk in animal studies (there are no adequate studies in humans, but animal studies did not demonstrate a risk to the fetus).

What is Clopidogrel?

Clopidogrel is a drug that is often used to prevent the formation of blood clots in people suffering from cardiovascular disease. It is classed as an antiplatelet agent, which means that it decreases platelet activity in the blood and aids in the prevention of blood clot formation.

Clopidogrel is frequently administered to patients who have had a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease, or who are at risk of developing these problems due to other medical issues. The medicine inhibits platelets from aggregating and forming clots by binding to a specific receptor on their surface.

Clopidogrel is often taken orally and is frequently used in conjunction with other drugs to assist reduce cardiovascular events, such as aspirin or statins.

Clopidogrel Uses

• To reduce atherosclerotic events, such as stroke and MI, or peripheral vascular disease
• To treat acute coronary syndrome (Unstable angina or non-Q wave MI)
• To reduce the rate of death, reinfarction, or stroke in patients with ST-segment elevation acute MI

Dosage

Clopidogrel is available in tablet form of 75 mg

Adult Dosage: 75 mg daily. or Loading dose of 300 mg followed by 75 mg once daily

Mechanism of Action

It binds to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptors on the surface of activated platelets. This action blocks ADP, which deactivates nearby glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors and prevents fibrinogen from attaching to receptors. Without fibrinogen, platelets can’t aggregate and form thrombi

Contraindications

Active pathological bleeding like peptic ulcer and Intracranial hemorrhage

Hypersensitivity to clopidogrel or its components

Side effects / Adverse Reactions

Bleeding: Bleeding is the most common clopidogrel adverse effect, and it can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including bleeding from the gums, nosebleeds, bruises, or blood in the urine or stool.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Clopidogrel may induce gastrointestinal side effects such as indigestion, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Skin reactions: Some people may develop skin responses, such as redness or itching.

Headache: Clopidogrel is commonly associated with headaches.

Dizziness: Another typical side effect of taking clopidogrel is dizziness.

Allergic reactions: Clopidogrel may produce an allergic reaction in certain patients, resulting in symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or neck, difficulty breathing, or hives.

Liver function abnormalities: Clopidogrel may cause liver function problems, which can be identified with blood tests.

Blood disorder: Clopidogrel may induce blood abnormalities such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or neutropenia in rare situations.

Nursing Responsibilities

Check the medication order: Nurses should double-check the medication order to confirm that the patient is receiving the correct dose and method of administration of clopidogrel.

Assess Patient’s Medical History: Nurses should review the patient’s medical history and current medications to detect any potential contraindications or drug interactions with clopidogrel.

Teach the patient: Nurses should educate the patient about the medication’s purpose, dosage, and proper administration.

Monitor for adverse reactions: Nurses should keep an eye out for any adverse responses to clopidogrel, such as bleeding or gastrointestinal symptoms, and communicate any concerns to the healthcare practitioner.

Monitor Lab Values: Nurses should monitor the patient’s laboratory findings, such as platelet count and liver function tests, to detect any abnormalities that may be connected to clopidogrel treatment.

Administer with Food: Clopidogrel is often administered with food to assist lessen the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects. Nurses should make sure the patient takes his or her medication with food as directed.

Record administration: Nurses should record clopidogrel administration in the patient’s medical record, including the date, time, dose, and any adverse responses seen.

References:

Jones & Bartlett Learning. (2013). Nurse’s Drug Handbook, Twelfth Edition.