TICLOPIDINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ticlid

GENERIC NAME(S): TICLOPIDINE HCL

Description: Ticlopidine inhibits adenosine diphosphate-mediated platelet aggregation.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the GI tract (oral). Oral bioavailability increased by 20% when taken after meals.

Distribution: Protein-binding: Extensive.

Metabolism: Hepatic: Extensive.

Excretion: As metabolites; via urine (60%), via faeces (25%). Terminal half-life: 30-50 hr.

Uses

This medication, an antiplatelet drug, prevents when aspirin doesn’t work. Although, it can be used in with aspirin following certain types of heart procedures (such as coronary stent implant). Ticlopidine blocks the platelets from sticking together and prevents them from forming harmful clots, thus keeping the blood flowing smoothly in your body.

How to use ticlopidine

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking ticlopidine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with food or just after a meal as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily.

The length of treatment 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.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Warnings

Rarely, this medication has caused serious, sometimes life-threatening blood and immune disorders (agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, neutropenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-TTP).

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

diarrhea
stomach upset/pain
nausea
vomiting

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

vomit that looks like coffee grounds
black stools
blood in the urine
bleeding from gums or nose
unusual weakness/fatigue
easy bruising/bleeding
mental/mood changes
loss of appetite
persistent nausea/vomiting
severe stomach/abdominal pain
change in the amount of urine
severe/persistent or bloody diarrhea

This medication may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse because it weakens your immune system.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergic reaction to this medication
Patients with medical history of:
- current or past history of blood or immune disorders (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, neutropenia)
- serious/active bleeding (such as bleeding stomach ulcers)
- bleeding/blood clotting disorders
- liver disease
- kidney problems
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery
This medication may cause stomach bleeding
Ticlopidine can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor
Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose)
it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop if you have a cut or injury
Older adults may be at greater risk for bleeding while using this drug
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions:

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

mifepristone
other antiplatelet drugs (such as clopidogrel)
cimetidine
antacids

Other drugs like this medication that affect blood clotting may increase your risk of bleeding, such as blood thinners” (anticoagulants such as enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin).

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

See also Warning section.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as 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 away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications 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.

Brands:

Also marketed as

Clotidone [ Apotex ]
Ticlid [ sanofi-aventis ]
Tikpid [ Duopharma (M) Sdn Bhd ]
Vasopid [ YSS ]