Ticlopidine

 Rajat Das Gupta

 
 WARNING: Rarely, this medication has caused serious, sometimes life-threatening blood and immune disorders (agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, neutropenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-TTP). Symptoms may appear within the first few days after starting this medication. Seek immediate attention if you notice any of these rare but serious side effects: difficulty speaking, weakness on one side of the body, seizures, red pinpoint-sized bleeding spots on the skin, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of eyes/skin (see also Side Effects section).
Your doctor will be monitoring your blood counts before and regularly during treatment, especially the first 3 months of therapy. It is important that you keep all your medical and laboratory appointments.
USES: This medication is used to prevent strokes in people who cannot take aspirin or for whom aspirin has failed to work. It may also be used in combination with aspirin following certain types of heart procedures (e.g., coronary stent implant).Ticlopidine is an anti-platelet drug. It works by making your blood less likely to clot.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.Take this medication with food or just after a meal, usually twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. Do not take this medication two hours before or after taking antacids.Duration of therapy is based on your medical condition. If you are taking this medication to prevent clots after a stent implant, it is generally taken with aspirin for up to 30 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor for more details.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than prescribed. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS: See also the Warning section.Diarrhea, stomach upset/pain, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe/persistent or bloody diarrhea, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, blood in the urine, bleeding from gums or nose, persistent dizziness.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of new infection (e.g., chills, persistent sore throat), unusual weakness/fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding, mental/mood changes, numbness/tingling of arms/legs, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, change in the amount of urine.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of blood or immune disorders (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, neutropenia), serious/active bleeding (e.g., bleeding stomach ulcers), severe liver disease.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver or kidney problems, bleeding/blood clotting disorders, conditions that put you at risk of bleeding (e.g., stomach ulcers), high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.While you are taking this medication, it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop if you have a cut or injury. Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also the How To Use section.Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: mifepristone.If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting ticlopidine.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other antiplatelet drugs (e.g., cilostazol, clopidogrel), cimetidine, digoxin, phenytoin, theophylline, tipranavir, tizanidine.Other drugs like this medication that affect blood clotting may increase your risk of bleeding. Examples are "blood thinners" (anticoagulants such as enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin). Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and continue your medications as directed. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice unusual bleeding. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.For certain conditions, you may be instructed by your doctor to take ticlopidine together with aspirin. Follow your doctor's instructions and continue aspirin as directed. If you are not currently taking aspirin, consult your doctor before starting it for any medical condition. Check the labels on all your medicines because they may contain aspirin or aspirin-like NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) that can increase the risk of bleeding. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES: See also the Warning section.Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, platelet counts, liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.