About P.A.D.: Prevent Blood Clots in Your Arteries: Medicines

What medicines are used to prevent blood clots?

Medicines that prevent blood clots from forming are called antiplatelet drugs. These medicines maybe given to people who have had a heart attack or have chest pain or P.A.D. in their legs. The two main antiplatelet drugs are aspirin and clopidogrel. Your health care team will review your records and talk with you to find out which of these drugs is best for you.

Many people who have P.A.D. take these medicines. The usual dosage of aspirin is 75 to 325 mg of aspirin each day. The low-dose version of aspirin may be labeled as “baby aspirin.” Some health care providers suggest taking the kind of aspirin that is coated. The coated form of aspirin allows it to pass through your stomach without dissolving. Instead, the aspirin is absorbed in the intestine, lowering the risk of side effects.

The usual dosage of clopidogrel is 75 mg per day. Some health care providers suggest taking both aspirin and clopidogrel each day to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. Talk with your health care team about the best medicines for you.

Are antiplatelet medicines safe for everyone?

Taking aspirin or clopidogrel is not safe for everyone. For example, some people cannot take aspirin. It affects the lining of their stomach, causing pain, nausea, vomiting or bleeding.

You should avoid aspirin if:

• You are allergic to it
• You tend to bleed
• You have had bleeding in your digestive tract in the past few months
• You have liver disease

You should avoid taking clopidogrel if you have a stomach ulcer or another condition that causes bleeding. Also, if you are having surgery or other procedure to treat blocked blood vessels, be sure to tell your health care provider that you are taking clopidogrel.