- In this Article
- Making the drug decision
- What you can do
Choosing a blood-thinning drug: What you can do
A heart attack is a medical emergency, and the decision about which drug to take can be complex, so you may have no say in which medication you take, at least at first. But there are several things you can do if time permits—as often happens with unstable angina—or even after you've started taking a drug:
* Give your cardiologist all relevant details about your medical history, particularly the bleeding or clotting risk factors listed above as well as any drugs, vitamins, or herbs you're currently taking, especially blood thinners.
* If your doctor recommends prasugrel even though you have risk factors for bleeding, ask for a thorough explanation and, if possible, seek a second opinion if you're not satisfied. Do the same if he or she recommends an off-label use of prasugrel.
If you're already using prasugrel or clopidogrel, take these precautions:
* Call your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of excessive bleeding that can't be explained: severe, prolonged, or unusual bleeding; pink or brown urine; red or black stools; bruises or purple skin spots; and coughing up or vomiting blood or clots. But don't stop taking the medication without your doctor's OK.
* Tell every doctor or dentist you see that you're taking the drug, especially if you're about to undergo an invasive procedure.
* Use an electric razor or be extra careful when shaving.
* Take prasugrel with particular caution if you're of Korean descent, because some research suggests that the drug may have a stronger effect.
* If you're taking clopidogrel or a smaller than recommended dose of prasugrel, consider asking your doctor if you should be tested for adequate platelet inhibition.
This drug safety alert is made possible through a partnership between Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs and the Research on Adverse Drug Events and Reports (RADAR) group, a pharmacovigilance group led by Charles Bennett, M.D. Ph.D. M.P.P. This is the fifth in a series of reports based on research by the RADAR group.
These materials are made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by the multi-state settlement of consumer-fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).
If you think you have experienced an adverse event with this drug or any drug, especially if it is of a serious nature, it is important to 1) tell your doctor immediately and 2) report the event to the Food and Drug Administration via the FDA's MedWatch Web site at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
