Plavix and Alcohol

Plavix (Clopidogrel) is an extremely potent prescription anticoagulant which prevents blood platelets from clotting, or rather, coagulating within the body.  This medication is essential for patients who suffer with blood vessel disorders or an adverse heart condition.  The main goal of this medication is to prevent further strokes or heart attacks from occurring due to blood clotting issues.  Therefore, since alcohol is also a blood thinning substance, healthcare providers do not recommend the consumption of alcohol while on this medication.  Minor cuts or scrapes may bleed excessively in patients who've combined plavix and alcohol.

While some associate the risks of alcohol consumption with simply bleeding more freely, this isn’t the only adverse problem that arise if combined with Alcohol.   Health care providers also often recommend a patient on Plavix to refrain from alcohol consumption is due to the potentially fatal risk of bleeding from the digestive tract.  Taking Plavix and consuming alcohol together can wreak havoc on the digestive system, and can cause you to bleed from the intestines and the stomach tissue.  This would lead to severe pain, and possibly even death.

Signs and Symptoms

There are several tell-tale signs to watch for if you’ve accidentally consumed alcohol while taking Plavix (Clopidogrel).  Depending on the level of alcohol intake these symptoms may occur:

• black, tarry, or bloody looking stools
• you vomit or cough up blood

If you see any of these signs you should get in touch with a health care provider right away.  If none are available due to it being after hours, it would be best to go to the ER and get checked out.  Again, this condition can be potentially fatal if severe enough.