Ticlopidine (ticlid) Aggregation Inhibitor for Blood Clots
Brand Name: TICLID, Generic Name: (Ticlopidine Hydrochloride.)
Ticlopidine is a platelet aggregation inhibitor used to prevent unwanted blood clots usually after heart attack or stroke in people with certain disorder. This drug is taken orally, and slows up or reduces the platelets that form blood clots. This property of Ticlopidine explains why it is prescribed to patients who have had stroke or "mini-stroke" also known as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs. Other uses include prevention of heart attacks for those with unstable angina. It is also used as an alternative to aspirin. (Avoid taking with Aspirin.)
Side Effects:
Most common side effects of ticlopidine include nausea, rash, diarrhea, vomiting and upset stomach or indigestion. Severe side effects might also occur. Some of these include serious allergic reactions such as swelling of the mouth, throat, tongue or lips; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest area; hives or rash. Others may also have chills, jaundicing, seizures, abnormal bleeding or bruising, light-colored stools, fever, weakness and blood in the urine, ringing in the ears, and dizziness. For the more adverse effects, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Dosage:
Ticlopidine is usually supplied in 250mg tablets. The recommended dose is two tablets daily. If stent placement procedure will be done, a single 500mg dosage is administered several hours prior.
Drug Interactions:
Like any other medication, it is best to discuss with your doctor first if you are taking any other medicine before taking ticlopidine. Some drugs that interact with ticlopidine according to clinical studies include:
- Warfarin ( Coumadin), heparin, aspirin and other drugs that promote bleeding
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Pimozide (Orap)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Antacids
- Cyclosporine
- Carbamazepine
Warnings:
This medication should not be taken by anybody without talking to his or her doctor first, if you have liver disease, kidney disease, stomach ulcer, brain injury, history of stroke, or are suffering from lack of red blood cell (anemia.)
This drug is also rated pregnancy category B by FDA. Though it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, pregnant mothers should not take this medication without talking with their doctor first. Those nursing or planning on becoming pregnant should also do the same. It is not known whether this medicine passes into the breast milk, so mothers are cautioned to seek advice with their doctors first.
Ticlopidine may not be addictive but it is advised that patients should take the pills as prescribed. A patient's medical history is examined and looked into by medical professionals before ticlopidine is advised to guarantee efficacy and of course safety and wellbeing. Discuss with your doctor if you are planning to father a child or planning to get pregnant so he or she will know what alternative to prescribe.