Acute Coronary Syndrome?
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term doctor use to describe conditions that include heart-related chest pain (unstable angina) and a certain type of heart attack (non–Q-wave heart attack). These conditions are usually caused by clots that block the flow of blood to part of the heart. ACS patients are at greater risk not only of having a future heart attack but also of having a stroke.What Is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a common disease in which deposits of cholesterol and other materials form in the walls of the arteries. These deposits are known as plaques. Over time, the buildup of plaque can reduce the supply of blood to areas of the body, such as your heart and brain, and also to the muscles in your arms and legs. Patients with atherosclerosis are at increased risk for events such as heart attack or stroke.
What Are Platelets?
Platelets are microscopic particles of the blood that form clots to reduce bleeding when blood vessels are injured. In patients with atherosclerosis, platelets can also stick together to form a clot on the plaque (buildup of cholesterol and other materials) that has ruptured on the inside wall of the blood vessel. These clots decrease the supply of blood to important areas of your body, such as your heart and brain, and can result in life-threatening events such as a heart attack or stroke.What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition in which the arteries of your legs, and sometimes your arms, begin to narrow from plaque, restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood. This may cause pain during exercise, such as walking, that is relieved by rest. But PAD can be a much greater concern. It can be an indicator that you are at risk for a heart attack or stroke. The risk for developing PAD increases with age and with the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking.Most people with PAD experience no symptoms at all. In fact, only about one-third of PAD patients feel any pain. If you do have PAD, by the time you actually feel pain in your legs, your arteries may have narrowed by 60% or more.
PLAVIX is the only antiplatelet medication approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or vascular death in patients diagnosed with PAD.
What Is Antiplatelet Medication?
Antiplatelet medications, such as prescription PLAVIX, help keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots, which helps keep blood flowing. Doctors often prescribe antiplatelet medications for patients who have had a heart attack, stroke, or PAD (poor circulation in the legs, which may cause pain during exercise, such as walking, that is relieved by rest).What Is PLAVIX?
PLAVIX is a prescription antiplatelet medication that is proven to help keep platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots, which can help protect against a future heart attack or stroke.PLAVIX is recommended for patients who have had a recent heart attack or recent stroke, or who have poor circulation in the legs, which may cause pain during exercise, such as walking, that is relieved by rest (peripheral arterial disease or PAD). Taken with aspirin, PLAVIX is also recommended for patients who have been hospitalized with heart-related chest pain (unstable angina) or a certain type of heart attack (non–Q-wave heart attack).
PLAVIX is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been available in the United States since March 1998. To date, more than 20 million patients worldwide have been treated with PLAVIX.
Should Take PLAVIX With Aspirin and Who Should Take PLAVIX Alone?
PLAVIX can be used with or without aspirin, as directed by your doctor, depending on your specific condition. Review any medications you are taking, including aspirin, with your doctor, and always check with your doctor before stopping or starting any prescription or over-the-counter medication, and any herbal or dietary supplements.
If you have a medical condition that causes bleeding, such as stomach ulcer, you shouldn't use PLAVIX. The risk of bleeding may increase with PLAVIX, and when you take PLAVIX with certain other medicines, including aspirin. Review your medicines with your doctor to minimize this risk. Additional rare, but serious, side effects could occur. Please see the full prescribing information.