Question about Plavix (blood thinner)

[billethkid]

Now that I now have a couple of stents I have recently been placed on Plavix by my cardiologist. ....stents require thinner and less coagulant blood.

After a couple of weeks I have none of the myriad of side effects listed for this medication.

The Plavix literature says to avoid alcohol. I will be asking the cardiologist about how stringent this "warning(?)" is when I see him next week.

I would dearly hate to have to not be able to have my wine with my meals. Or an occasional after dinner drink.

What have some of you that are on Plavix done about alcohol consumption?

btk

[Hangin on]

Been on Plavix (now generic) for 14 years and never had a problem with alcohol, either wine at dinner, cocktail, or after dinner drink.

[jblum315]

I've been on Plavix for 5 years and I continue to have a Scotch-and-soda or a martini before dinner most nights. Other nights a glass or two of wine. I think they put that warning in for their own protection. The only side effect I've ever noticed is that a pin prick or a paper cut or a cat scratch bleeds excessively

[wendyquat]

Now that I now have a couple of stents I have recently been placed on Plavix by my cardiologist. ....stents require thinner and less coagulant blood.

After a couple of weeks I have none of the myriad of side effects listed for this medication.

The Plavix literature says to avoid alcohol. I will be asking the cardiologist about how stringent this "warning(?)" is when I see him next week.

I would dearly hate to have to not be able to have my wine with my meals. Or an occasional after dinner drink.

What have some of you that are on Plavix done about alcohol consumption?

btk

My husband is on Plavix and has had no problems with an occasional drink. I think the warning may be geared to the fact that it is a blood thinner and you may hurt yourself if you drink too much, take a bad fall and bleed to death!

[Shimpy]

Been on Plavix for years and didn't know about the alcohol. I always have about 3 glasses of wine and never any problems.

[BarryRX]

Plavix is an anticoagulant. When taking anticoagulants one must be careful about bleeding, both externally AND internally. That is why you have probably been warned to be alert for signs of internal bleeding such as black, tarry stools or vomiting dark material that looks like coffee grounds. Alcohol can increase the chances of internal bleeding (by causing constriction of blood vessels). This increased chance of internal bleeding combined with an anticoagulant can result in serious internal bleeding. Also, just because many people on this forum take plavix and also enjoy a drink does not make the combination safe for you or for them. But everyone has to live their own life.......just enjoy yours and make your decision armed with the facts. I wish I could remember if there is a percentage of patients who drink and take plavix and have had bleeding problems, but retirement and age has dulled my memory from my pharmacist days. Please ask your pharmacist for more info.....these young kids are pretty sharp!

[asianthree]

as long as you don't shave with a straight razer and drink you should be ok..but the best person to ask is your pharmacist

[senior citizen]

Plavix is an anticoagulant. When taking anticoagulants one must be careful about bleeding, both externally AND internally. That is why you have probably been warned to be alert for signs of internal bleeding such as black, tarry stools or vomiting dark material that looks like coffee grounds. Alcohol can increase the chances of internal bleeding (by causing constriction of blood vessels). This increased chance of internal bleeding combined with an anticoagulant can result in serious internal bleeding. Also, just because many people on this forum take plavix and also enjoy a drink does not make the combination safe for you or for them. But everyone has to live their own life.......just enjoy yours and make your decision armed with the facts. I wish I could remember if there is a percentage of patients who drink and take plavix and have had bleeding problems, but retirement and age has dulled my memory from my pharmacist days. Please ask your pharmacist for more info.....these young kids are pretty sharp!

Barry:
Thank you for the informative post.
We are not on Plavix or any other blood thinner besides aspirin, however, just wondering how Plavix compares to Coumadin / Warfarin ?

A dear friend plus a cousin are both on Coumadin due to a mitral valve replacement (titanium valves not animal valves)......

They have to go very very very often to have their blood workups done.
Also, they are not allowed to eat much of the green veggies nor cranberries, etc., etc. Any black and blue on the skin, etc. must be immediately reported......it's at least five years since the replacement valves were installed.

They also have to watch not to eat too many things with ginger and other spices which are natural blood thinners. It gets complicated, for sure.

Is Plavix less dangerous than Coumadin / Warfarin????

Thank you in advance for your knowledge and expertise.

[senior citizen]

Is There a Natural Alternative to Coumadin? - Ask Dr. Weil (http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA33112/Natural-Alternative-to-Coumadin.html)



Dr. Weil’s opinion on sticking with the prescribed anticoagulants vs natural anticoagulants in food, etc. ....................looked it up for my own information as I also remembered garlic was a blood thinner. Food for thought. It isn't just alchohol intake that one has to monitor.

[billethkid]

senior citizen; I am sure BarryRx will answer but let me add my 2 cents to your question.

My wife has been on coumadin/warfarin for 20 years and Now I am on Plavix.

According to what I have been able to read about Plavix in addition to thinning the blood it sort of coats the platelets making them "slippery" hence flowing through stents and other vein/artery narrowings without coagulating. In addition there is no need for the monthly checks that are required by coumadin/warfarin.

If one reads the material that comes with Plavix, coumadin, warfarin they all have very similar cautions/warnings about the effects of the thinning and potential ease of bleeding/bruising. Plavix apparently has more of an effect on the stomach lining and intestines for potential internal bleeding.....the main reason for recommending avoiding alcohol is the propensity for alcohol to increase the possibility of internal bleeding.

When all gets said and done alll one can do is research, discuss with one's doctor and then make the best informed decision possible.

An individually personal gamble at best.

btk

[BarryRX]

Barry:
Thank you for the informative post.
We are not on Plavix or any other blood thinner besides aspirin, however, just wondering how Plavix compares to Coumadin / Warfarin ?

A dear friend plus a cousin are both on Coumadin due to a mitral valve replacement (titanium valves not animal valves)......

They have to go very very very often to have their blood workups done.
Also, they are not allowed to eat much of the green veggies nor cranberries, etc., etc. Any black and blue on the skin, etc. must be immediately reported......it's at least five years since the replacement valves were installed.

They also have to watch not to eat too many things with ginger and other spices which are natural blood thinners. It gets complicated, for sure.

Is Plavix less dangerous than Coumadin / Warfarin????

Thank you in advance for your knowledge and expertise.
I'm a bit worried that my knowledge and expertise is more than a bit dated. While both plavix and Coumadin are anticoagulants, they work differently. Plavix is an anti-platelet drug (sort of stops platelets from sticking together) and Coumadin works on vitamin K levels. That's why those on Coumadin have to watch their intake of green leafy vegetables because they contain vitamin k. When I was practicing, Coumadin was the drug of choice for mitral valve replacement. But I have been out golfing instead of keeping up with my continuing education literature so things may have changed. Again, your cardiologist or pharmacist is your best source for this info. Our local Wal-Mart in The Villages has a super knowledgable pharmacist. Her name is Dr. Ellen, and she is as good as they come. I have a high regard for the other two pharmacists that work there also.

[senior citizen]

I'm a bit worried that my knowledge and expertise is more than a bit dated. While both plavix and Coumadin are anticoagulants, they work differently. Plavix is an anti-platelet drug (sort of stops platelets from sticking together) and Coumadin works on vitamin K levels. That's why those on Coumadin have to watch their intake of green leafy vegetables because they contain vitamin k. When I was practicing, Coumadin was the drug of choice for mitral valve replacement. But I have been out golfing instead of keeping up with my continuing education literature so things may have changed. Again, your cardiologist or pharmacist is your best source for this info. Our local Wal-Mart in The Villages has a super knowledgable pharmacist. Her name is Dr. Ellen, and she is as good as they come. I have a high regard for the other two pharmacists that work there also.

Many many thanks. Now I understand the Vitamin K connection re the green leafy veggies. Appreciate your input.

[ohiosbestus]

Now that I now have a couple of stents I have recently been placed on Plavix by my cardiologist. ....stents require thinner and less coagulant blood.

After a couple of weeks I have none of the myriad of side effects listed for this medication.

The Plavix literature says to avoid alcohol. I will be asking the cardiologist about how stringent this "warning(?)" is when I see him next week.

I would dearly hate to have to not be able to have my wine with my meals. Or an occasional after dinner drink.

What have some of you that are on Plavix done about alcohol consumption?

btk

I have been on plavis sine 2000, i have drank 4 beers after golf and never have had any problems at all. in fact to save costs i only take my meds 5 out of 7 days for many years. I take 7 meds. The best one that has made the best results for me is Lovasa It is a refined fish oil, but it has made a big difference. I had 2 heart attacks , and a third stent put in before i had a heart attack,