plavix or coumadin

Should a 59 years old male with severe CAD, Renal Insufficiency (has been on dialysis for 1 1/2 years), had cuadriple heart bypass four years ago and is getting a stent today for coronary obstruction and has been on Coumadin for several years, will have to add Plavix to his treatment or is Coumadin enough for anticoagulation and antiplatelet effect?

Severe joint and back pain usually is not a side effect of Plavix. Coumadin is more powerful than Plavix. The Plavix is important to take especially if you have coated stents. You may want to be checked for arthritis that may be flaring up. Coumadin is not to be used in persons with high cholesterol.

I recently changed doctors and today the new doctor suggested I stop the warafin and start taking Plavix. I am 52 y/o female. No hyper-tension, no diabetese, no tia/stroke or any of the factors listed for taking warafin instead of aspirin. The doctor said I was a good candidate for aspirin to prevent clotting but I am allergic to aspirin. Has anyone heard of or personally changed from warafin to plavix? Thank you for any input you can provide.

I had two coated stents inserted March 22, 2010 and have been taking plavix, 81 mg aspirin and continue taking coumadin (5mg 6 days and 6 mgs 1 day a week). I have my blood tested for IN/PTR regularly. Since taking Plavix and aspirin I have severe bruising. I try to be careful but bruise just brushing against a doorway, for example. My dog was sitting on my lap and when he jumped off to the floor the pressure of lifting off caused bruising on both legs.

Plavix will be quite costly for us on a fixed income. Can coumadin (warfarin) be substituted for plavix?

Hi Linda, The lupus anticoagulants usually interfere with blood clotting and are also factors for thrombosis. Patients with a lupus anticoagulant are prone to excess bleeding, repeated miscarriages, thrombosis and strokes. Patients with a lupus anticoagulant that presents atleast twice and a history of thrombosis should be given indefinite treatment with anticoagulants. Thrombosis can be prevented with heparin administration and treated with heparin and warfarin.

Hi Ray....I agree w/ed34. Warfarin is generic for Coumadin. Since it is the generic for brand Coumadin it is given in same dose. Mom took Warfarin for the 1st three months after her event. Month four, the pharmacy was temporarily out so I took brand name Coumadin (more$$, of course ;-) but it was the exact same dose. Month five, she was back on Warfarin. Best to you...

There are 3 serious medical conditions (right-side heart failure, uncontrolled bleeding, and clots (pulmonary embolism and thrombosis) that requires consideration when prescribing medication. Anticoagulants are effective in preventing pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, but there is a risk for bleeding. More than 80 percent of patients with massive PE die within the first two hours after onset, mainly from right-sided heart failure.

Plavix, similar to aspirin, is effective in treating arterial clots (stroke, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease), whereas coumadin is effective in treating venous clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).

Warfarin (coumadin): Because of the increased risk of bleeding, the concomitant administration of Warfarin with Plavix should be undertaken with caution. (See PRECAUTIONS - General.) At high concentrations in vitro, clopidogrel inhibits P450 (C).

Told me to get off the Plavix and she would RX Pradexa which is like coumadin.(never been on coumadin or heparin) I am 74 years old and also take Nexium, Crestor, Avalide 150/12.5, Lopressor, 50,000mg of D3 daily, Synthroid for 3 thyroid nodules and Hashimoto's..(TSH is in the 3-8 range) I take .375 Bayer daily for sinus headaches and advil for knee arthritis. I have a high Parathyroid Level (serum) but normal calcium. Parathyroid adenoma is seen on Nuclear studies.

I am currently taking plavix, 81mg aspirin AND coumadin on a daily basis. I had a stent put in in July 2008 and triple by pass in 2006. I'm 64 and had my first MI at 33. My father died of an MI at 46, my EF is under 30%. My EP (at one hospital) just suggested I eliminate the plavix while my CHF specialist (at a nearby major research university) said I would be on plavix for a "long time" (forever?).

I know a lot of doctors that are now recommending that their patients stay on Plavix. Plavix works more like aspirin. Coumadin works more on the deep thrombus blood clots. Is your husband getting his blood drawn every month while on the Coumadin? Doctor's usually watch their patients closely and ordered a blood draw every three weeks to a month when on Coumadin.

My husband has a pacemaker and 8 metal stents. He's been taking Coumadin and Plavix for the past 4-5 years since his last stent was put in. Recently he was rushed to the hospital with blood in his vomit and stools. They said he had last 60% of his blood and immediately preceeded to give him blood, total 9 pints. After much reading up on ulcers and his medicine's side-effects, we discovered that Plavix causes ulcers. He was bleeding from a huge ulcer in his stomach.

Also, the doctors decided that I should definitely go on a blood thinner. So their choice is Plavix over Coumadin or the other blood thinners. Why do you think this is a better choice than say Coumadin?

I believe the problems with Vitamin K are with Warafin & Coumadin. They may not apply to Plavix. You might want to ask your doctor.

I had later found out that her doctors had told her it was OK to take extra strengh Tylenol in addition to taking Coumadin and Plavix. Is this OK? In addition, what is the purpose of taking both Coumadin and Plavix? I understand they work by completely different mechanisms, but is taking both necessary? I am concerned she is not getting the correct information from her doctors. Also, I did my dissertation research in coagulation, so I can understand very technical answers. Thank you, Dr.

I don't know about "normal," but if the regimen of warfarin and Plavix is working for you, then great. Your goal is to find something that works. Have you been tested for clotting disorders? Your story makes me wonder about that, especially if the stroke happened to be due to a clot.

I refused to take plavix or coumadin and I'm only taking aspirin. I keep reading stuff that says aspirin is not at all helpful. My MRI shows that I already had some ministrokes?? Does anyone know the facts? Is aspirin useless under these circumstances?

I am confused because the surgeon who saw me for the breast infection said he could aspirate the large, infected cyst in his office that day even though, at that time, I was on both Coumadin and Plavix. The cardiologist said I shouldn't have the biopsy until the middle of August. Several weeks ago, the cardiologist took me off of Coumadin and added two 81-mg, aspirin and recommended that I stay on the Plavix for the biopsy.

i was taken off plavix recently and kept on coumadin and pletal, do i still need plavix?

I am confused because the surgeon who saw me for the breast infection said he could aspirate the large, infected cyst in his office that day even though, at that time, I was on both Coumadin and Plavix. The cardiologist said I shouldn't have the biopsy until the middle of August. Several weeks ago, the cardiologist took me off of Coumadin and added two 81-mg, aspirin and recommended that I stay on the Plavix for the biopsy.

I am confused because the surgeon who saw me for the breast infection said he could aspirate the large, infected cyst in his office that day even though, at that time, I was on both Coumadin and Plavix. The cardiologist said I shouldn't have the biopsy until the middle of August. Several weeks ago, the cardiologist took me off of Coumadin and added two 81-mg, aspirin and recommended that I stay on the Plavix for the biopsy.

Four days later she was discharged with Coumadin and Plavix, but unable to stand or walk at discharge because her left foot was red and severely swollen. Mom had extreme pain with only a slight finger touch to her left lower extremity. She did not leave the hospital and was treated the next day for gout. GI consult continued and suggested a colonoscopy. Coumadin and Plavix was d/c for a few days for the test, and ischemic colitis was confirmed.

I am confused because the surgeon who saw me for the breast infection said he could aspirate the large, infected cyst in his office that day even though, at that time, I was on both Coumadin and Plavix. The cardiologist said I shouldn't have the biopsy until the middle of August. Several weeks ago, the cardiologist took me off of Coumadin and added two 81-mg, aspirin and recommended that I stay on the Plavix for the biopsy.

Coumadin is an anti-cougulant and asprin is just a blood thinner. Cardio's prefer to prescribe the anti-cougulants as you are at risk for a Stroke with atrial-fib. one disadvantage of the Coumadin is that you have to manage your INR levels carefully... that makes life a bit interesing when you have to go for ops, etc. and please ALWAYS mention it to your care-givers that you are using Coumadin.

My husband is on coumadin, plavix & asprin [ 325 dose ] because he has a-fib & stents. A few days ago he got a nosebleed and we went to the ER. at the ER they checked his INR and it was 2.7. The coumadin clinic wants it between 2 & 3 but 2.7 is at the high end. Do you think he can omit the aspirin ? Or should I call the doctor? If he omitted the aspirin would that would put him a little lower in his INR like 2.1 or 2.2 ? that seems like a safer number. anyone ever go through this?

Thanks for your reply. I believe the Doctor did mention Atrial Fibrillation as a Electrocardiogram was done in the office and I was asked if I have ever experienced Paltipitations, and I have (just didn't realize what they were) I am not trying to out guess the Doctor, just don't want to do the wrong thing for myself. Thanks again your imput.

Plavix or coumadin

Common Questions and Answers about Plavix or coumadin

plavix