DRUG Information

DRUG MANUFACTURER:
Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis

BRAND NAME:
Plavix®— also known by generic name, Clopidogrel

DRUG USE:
Plavix® is part of a treatment regimen for patients who are at high risk of heart attack.

Plavix® is also used as a clot-blocker in angioplasty procedures to open clogged arteries in the heart and legs, and to prevent strokes.

DRUG DANGERS:
Risk of dangerous hemorrhages (internal bleeding) and ulcers, especially when taken in conjuction with aspirin

PLAVIX DruG News

Study Raises Questions on Plavix Safety
New York Times — January 20, 2005

Clot Blocker Is Linked To Disorder Of the Blood
New York Times — April 21, 2000

Plavix®: Studies Raise Questions of Dangerous Clotting Disorders and Other Safety Concerns

Major heart drug and clotting blocker may increase risk of internal bleeding or ulcers.

In 2002, physicians began prescribing the short-term use of Plavix® as part of a treatment regimen for patients who had been evaluated in the emergency room with a mild heart attack or who were at high risk of having a heart attack. The use of Plavix® with aspirin next was expanded to include patients who had risk factors for heart disease (such as smoking or obesity), but who had never had a heart attack or stroke.

Studies Reveal Dangers

• In 2006, a major clinical study showed that Plavix®, a popular but expensive heart medication manufactured by Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis, may cause dangerous bleeding in patients who take it along with aspirin to prevent a first heart attack. Plavix® is also known by its generic name, Clopidogrel. Plavix® is also used as a clot-blocker in angioplasty procedures to open clogged arteries in the heart and legs, and to prevent strokes.
  
  The 2006 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine tested more than 15,000 patients. In high-risk patients who had not had a heart attack or stroke, Plavix® was found to significantly increase the risk of internal bleeding, which could itself be life-threatening.
  
  
• A 2005 study also published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that patients taking Plavix® and aspirin experienced more than 12 times as many ulcers as patients taking just aspirin and a heartburn pill. The study’s lead author, Dr. Francis K. L. Chan, stated “Plavix® might really damage the stomach.”
  
  The study suggests that many patients taking the much more expensive Plavix® should consider switching to a treatment of aspirin plus a heartburn pill, which would be safer and cheaper. Aspirin sells for less than 10 cents a pill. Plavix® sells for between $3.00 and $4.00 a pill.

Contact an experienced dangerous drug attorney

KCR personal injury attorneys have handled thousands of cases involving defective and dangerous drugs. We have the specific knowledge and expertise to help our injured clients obtain fair compensation in these complex cases. In recent years, KCR has litigated and settled numerous nationwide cases involving products such as:

• Vioxx
• Phen-Fen diet drugs
• Intergel anti-adhesion surgical product
• Guidant defibrillators and pacemakers

If you think you have developed internal bleeding problems, including ulcers, as the result of using Plavix®, the experienced personal injury attorneys of Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff can help. Please fill out and submit the contact form on this page for a free case evaluation or call us toll-free at (888) 285-3333.