Plavix Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Ulcers

Last Updated on June 26, 2017

Important Information

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At A Glance

This Alert Affects
Any patient given Plavix as a blood thinner to combat blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Damages
Heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, or ulcers. Those with a history of peptic ulcer disease have been reported to suffer bleeding
Company(ies)
Bristol-Myers-Squibb / Sanofi-Aventis
Additional Details
Legal cases have now been launched. Generic versions of the drug, no longer in patent, remain in use.
Date
FDA concern reported in 1998. Plavix patent expired 2012.

One of the most widely used drugs in the world, Plavix is used as a blood thinner for the treatment of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks. Approved for use by the FDA in 1997 and manufactured by Bristol-Myers-Squibb, the drug’s generic name is clopidogrel bisulfate and it remains in current use – despite potentially causing damage to the very area it’s meant to treat. Plavix has been linked to heart attacks and strokes, gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebral bleeding, ulcers, and further complications.

The FDA initially expressed concern in 1998 following the manufacturer’s claims that Plavix was equal to aspirin for the treatment of heart problems and disease; however, a study since published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the drug’s use alongside aspirin had no significant impact or benefit for patients. The study found no justification for using Plavix for the prevention of the diseases, including heart attacks for it was marketed.

Far from simply being ineffective in combination with aspirin, Plavix has since been linked to multiple cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, chronic bleeding ulcers, and an overall risk of serious bleeding and heart damage.

Hemorrhaging Risk

Patients treated with Plavix have experienced strokes, heart attacks, hemorrhaging (including gastrointestinal bleeding and severe bleeding in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease), and Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Pupura (TTP), a condition which causes blood clots throughout the body and can lead to major complications if blood vessels to organs become blocked. There may also be a risk of bone marrow damage, and even death.

Legal cases against Bristol-Myers-Squibb / Sanofi-Aventis have now been launched, alleging, among other things, wrongful death and unethical business practice.

The generic version of Plavix may continue to pose the same or similar risks to patients, and have been available since Plavix’s patent expired in May 2012. The risk from these drugs includes:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Ulcers
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding / exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease
  • TTP
  • Death

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