Clopidogrel (Generic for Plavix®) 75 mg Tablets

What Clopidogrel Is and How It Works

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medicine. It belongs to the thienopyridine class and acts as a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. This clopidogrel drug classification helps reduce the risk of blood clots. It is used after certain heart events and procedures. It can help prevent heart attack, stroke, and clot-related death. The most common strength is clopidogrel 75 mg. A clopidogrel 75 mg tablet is taken once daily in many cases.

Clopidogrel is a prodrug that needs liver activation. It blocks the P2Y12 ADP receptor on platelets. This reduces platelet aggregation. The effect is irreversible for the life of the platelet. Typical uses include recent myocardial infarction, recent stroke, and established peripheral arterial disease. It is also used with aspirin after stent placement in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba. We follow Canadian pharmacy standards. Licensed pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices and also carry OTC health products. Ordering is available online, and customer-service chat is available during posted office hours. We source through licensed, vetted partner pharmacies to provide authentic brands and a broad selection at affordable pricing.

Dosage and Usage

Doctors prescribe clopidogrel 75 mg for most maintenance therapy. A loading dose may be used for acute care or before procedures. Follow your prescriber’s instructions and the pharmacy label.

• Maintenance dose: clopidogrel 75 mg once daily, with or without food.
• Acute coronary syndrome: loading dose 300–600 mg once, then 75 mg daily.
• Dual therapy: often given with aspirin after stent placement or during ACS care.
• Missed dose: take the dose when remembered if it is the same day. If the next dose is near, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose.
• Stopping: prescribers may advise stopping 5 days before surgery to lower bleeding risk. Do not stop without medical guidance.

Storage and travel tips:

• Store tablets at room temperature (15–30°C) in a dry place.
• Keep tablets in the original bottle or blister to protect from moisture.
• Use child-resistant storage and keep out of reach of children and pets.
• When you travel, pack your medicine in your carry-on.
• Carry your prescription label and a medication list.
• Set a reminder so you can reorder before you run out.

Benefits and Savings

Clopidogrel helps lower the risk of new clotting events. It reduces the chance of heart attack, ischemic stroke, or vascular death. It is well studied for coronary artery disease, stents, recent MI, and peripheral arterial disease. Many patients take it with aspirin after stent placement for a set period.

Clopidogrel is the generic for Plavix®. Generic clopidogrel medicine offers the same active ingredient and strength. It helps manage your total therapy costs. Buying through YouDrugstore can provide 60–80% savings vs typical US prices. You can review clopidogrel cost and clopidogrel price on our product page and compare options.

Our team supports safe, convenient access. Pharmacists check each prescription before we ship. You can reach customer-service chat during posted office hours if you have order or account questions.

Side Effects and Safety

All medicines can cause side effects. Review the full information from your prescriber and the medication guide.

• Common: easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, indigestion, rash, or itching.
• Less common: headache, dizziness, or minor bleeding after cuts.
• Serious: signs of major bleeding (black stools, vomiting blood, coughing blood), blood in urine, prolonged bleeding, severe weakness, or fainting.
• Rare but severe: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Symptoms can include fever, confusion, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and small purple spots under the skin.
• Allergy: swelling of the face or throat, severe rash, or trouble breathing needs urgent care.

Important warnings and interactions:

• CYP2C19 poor metabolizers may have reduced drug effect. A genetic test can identify this status.
• Strong interactions: omeprazole and esomeprazole can reduce clopidogrel activation. Ask your prescriber about safer acid reducers, such as pantoprazole.
• Other interactions: other blood thinners, NSAIDs, and SSRI/SNRI antidepressants can increase bleeding risk.
• Do not use with active pathological bleeding, such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage.
• Alcohol can increase bleeding risk.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: discuss the risks and benefits with your prescriber.

Onset Time

With a loading dose of 300–600 mg, platelet inhibition begins within hours. Many patients reach strong inhibition by 4–6 hours after a 600 mg load. With a daily clopidogrel tablet 75 mg and no loading dose, near steady effect develops over several days. Platelet function returns to baseline about 5–10 days after stopping.

Compare With Alternatives

Aspirin is an antiplatelet medicine that blocks cyclooxygenase. Many patients take aspirin alone for prevention. Clopidogrel and aspirin together may be used after stent placement. The choice depends on the event and bleeding risk.

Ticagrelor (brand Brilinta®) is another P2Y12 inhibitor. It is not a prodrug and works faster. It is taken twice daily. It can cause shortness of breath and interacts with strong CYP3A inhibitors. It may reduce cardiovascular events more than clopidogrel after certain acute coronary syndromes but may increase bleeding.

Prasugrel (brand Effient®) is a thienopyridine like clopidogrel. It has a stronger effect but a higher bleeding risk in some patients. It is not advised for those with a history of stroke or TIA. It is used mainly after PCI in selected patients.

Which option is best depends on the condition, age, bleeding risk, cost, and prescriber guidance. Clopidogrel generic offers broad use, once-daily dosing, and strong evidence in many settings.

Combination Therapy

Clopidogrel is often combined with aspirin as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). This is common after stent placement or for acute coronary syndrome. The duration of DAPT varies. It depends on the stent type, bleeding risk, and cardiology advice. Some patients take a proton pump inhibitor to reduce GI bleeding risk. Pantoprazole is usually preferred over omeprazole or esomeprazole with clopidogrel. The risk of bleeding rises if combined with anticoagulants. Prescribers balance these risks against the benefits of clot prevention.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Clopidogrel is used for the prevention of atherothrombotic events. It is used after recent MI, recent stroke, or in peripheral arterial disease. It is also used after stent placement as part of DAPT. Clopidogrel bisulfate 75 mg is the most common maintenance dose. People with active bleeding, severe liver disease, or known allergy to clopidogrel should not take it. Those with a CYP2C19 loss-of-function genotype may need a different option.

Cost-saving tips are simple. Choose the generic for clopidogrel when appropriate. Compare clopidogrel 75 mg price per tablet across available manufacturers. Order a multi-month supply to increase monthly savings when permitted. You can turn on reorder reminders in your account so you do not forget to refill. For current deals, see clopidogrel coupons and bulk options.

You may also care about ingredients in tablets. If you avoid gluten, review excipients from the manufacturer. Our article How To Avoid Hidden Gluten explains label reading and questions to ask your pharmacist.

Authoritative Sources

Review the Plavix patient information site for brand details. See the FDA Medication Guide for clopidogrel for safety information. You can also search the Health Canada Drug Product Database for clopidogrel listings and monographs.

YouDrugstore provides caring support from Canada to the US. We dispense after a licensed pharmacist reviews your prescription. Order online, and we ship with prompt, express service. We also offer cold-chain shipping for temperature-sensitive items.

This content is for general information. It does not replace medical advice. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the medication guide that comes with your medicine.