Ticlopidine tablets

What is this medication?

TICLOPIDINE (tye KLOE pi deen) helps to prevent blood clots. This medicine is used to prevent strokes in patients who have already had a stroke, or those who are at high risk of having a stroke. This medicine may also be used in combination with aspirin to prevent blood clots in patients who have had a coronary stent placed.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ticlid

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

• Anemia
• High cholesterol
• History of bleeding disorder
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Stomach ulcer
• An unusual or allergic reaction to ticlopidine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day.

Take with food.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• Agents that dissolve blood clots
• Antacids
• Antipyrine
• Aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• Blood thinners, such as warfarin
• Cimetidine
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Phenytoin
• Propranolol
• Theophylline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Side effects to this medicine occur most frequently during the first 3 months of therapy. To make sure you do not develop any problems, you will need to have blood tests before you start this medicine and then every 2 weeks for the first 3 months.

Notify your doctor or health care professional and seek emergency treatment if you develop breathing problems; changes in vision; chest pain; severe, sudden headache; pain, swelling, warmth in the leg; trouble speaking; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg. These can be signs that your condition has gotten worse.

This medicine can cause serious blood problems. This can mean risk of infection or bleeding. Avoid activities that increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor or health care professional at once if have any unusual bleeding or bruise easily or an infection that will not get better.

If you are going to have surgery or dental work, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• fever
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• paleness
• ringing in the ears
• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark-brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eye, gums, or nose
• yellowing of skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• decreased appetite
• diarrhea
• headache
• nausea, vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep the container tightly closed.

Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.