Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel
About
Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is a combination drug composed of a blood-thinning agent and cholesterol-lowering agent, primarily used to prevent heart attack and stroke in the future. It lowers the raised level of cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in our body. A heart attack is a condition in which your coronary arteries (blood vessel supplying blood and oxygen to the heart) becomes blocked due to build-up of fats (plaque) including cholesterol. These plaques narrow the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, mainly for most heart attacks.
Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is composed of two medicines, namely: Rosuvastatin and Clopidogrel. Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. As a result, it lowers the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL), triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents a clot in the blood vessels. Together Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel reduces the increased levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides) and prevents blood clots, thereby reducing and preventing the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related chest pain (angina).
Take Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel exactly as directed by your doctor. The dose and duration of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel may differ depending on the reason why you're taking it and your responses to treatment. In some cases, you may experience headaches, ankle swelling due to fluid retention (oedema), slow heart rate, and nausea. Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is known to cause dizziness, so driving should be avoided. Most of these side effects of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel of your own. Suddenly stopping Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel may worsen your condition and increase your risk of a future heart attack. Inform your doctor know if you are allergic to rosuvastatin, clopidogrel, or have any active liver disease (liver enzymes abnormalities), active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), or muscle problem (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis). The patient should inform the doctor that they are taking Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken. Rosuvastatin present in Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is a pregnancy category X drug, so it should not be given to pregnant women. It may cause harm to the fetus if administered to pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Uses of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel
Medicinal Benefits
Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. As a result, it lowers the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL), triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents a clot in the blood vessels. Together Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel reduces the increased levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides) and prevents blood clots, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related chest pain (angina).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel
- Stomach bleeding
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Nose bleeding
- Rash
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach ulcer
- Muscle disease (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis)
- Abdominal pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to rosuvastatin, clopidogrel, or any of its ingredients. If you have any active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcers, brain haemorrhage), pregnant, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel until prescribed. The patient should inform the doctor that they are taking Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel before any surgery is scheduled or any new medicine is taken. Rosuvastatin present in Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is a pregnancy category X drug, so it is contraindicated in pregnant women. As it may cause harm to the fetus if administered to pregnant women. The risk of muscle problems might increase if Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is taken with an antibiotic (clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir) and antifungal (itraconazole). Coadministration with anticoagulants like warfarin may cause gastric bleeding and other bleeding problems. So, if you are using any blood-thinning agents, let your doctor know about this. Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel contains rosuvastatin, which can cause muscle problems like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Patients with active liver disease should use the Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel with caution. Safety and effectiveness of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel have not been established, so its use should be avoided in paediatric patients less than ten years of age. Discontinuation of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel may lead to cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, and angina (heart-related chest pain). Hence, you should consult a doctor before stopping the dose of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel may interact with antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, lopinavir, darunavir, atazanavir, indinavir) and antifungal (itraconazole), blood thinners (warfarin, heparin), anti-arthritis drug (colchicine), oral contraceptives, heart-related medicine (digoxin) and immune system affecting drug (cyclosporine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcoholic beverages and grapefruit or its juice intake should be avoided with Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel as it may interact with Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel to produce unpleasant side effects like muscle problems and bleeding disorder.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel should not be given to the patients with active liver disease, active bleeding issues (like peptic ulcer, brain haemorrhage), muscle problems or musculoskeletal problems (myopathy, rhabdomyolysis), asthma, and purpura (blood leakage under the skin).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeRosuvastatin+clopidogrel should not be taken with alcohol as it may worsen your liver condition with increased secretion of liver enzymes like transaminase. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
unsafeRosuvastatin+clopidogrel contains Rosuvastatin, which is a pregnancy category X medicine. It may cause harm to both the pregnant mother and the fetus. Hence, it is not recommended for pregnant women and those who are planning for a pregnancy. Your doctor might prescribe you only in an extreme case.
Breast Feeding
cautionTake Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel only when prescribed, it is known to pass on in a limited quantity via breast milk to the child.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel usually causes blurry vision and may affect driving ability.
Liver
cautionRosuvastatin+clopidogrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionRosuvastatin+clopidogrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionRosuvastatin+clopidogrel is not recommended for children below the age of 10 years. The safety and effectiveness of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel have not been established in children due to limited testing of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel on children by competent authorities worldwide.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A low cholesterol diet and a regular exercise regime effectively complement treatment with Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel.
- Stick to a freshly prepared home-cooked meal and avoid processed, packed foods that contain hidden sugar and extra calories.
- Try to replace most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats to reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) quickly.
- Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain too many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so eating them regularly is beneficial.
- Include a diet enriched in fats like fish oils, polyunsaturated oils, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health.
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Heart attack: Heart attack is when your coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying blood and oxygen to the heart) become blocked due to the build-up of fats (plaque), including cholesterol. These plaques narrow the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, mainly for most heart attacks.
Stroke: Stroke occurs when the blood and oxygen supply to the brain is blocked or minimized. As a result, the brain tissue is deprived of getting oxygen and nutrients. After a few minutes, brain cells (neurons) start to die. A stroke is a medical emergency; immediate treatment is required; else can cause brain damage, coma or even death.
Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis occurs when fats, cholesterol, and other substances known as plaque deposit on your artery walls that restrict blood flow. This plaque formation triggers blood clots, narrows the artery's size, and hardens it. This, in turn, can lead to various heart complications like atherosclerosis, heart attack, heart-related chest pain (angina), and stroke. However, it can also affect the body's arteries apart from the heart.
FAQs
Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel is composed of two medicines, namely: Rosuvastatin and Clopidogrel. Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that blocks the enzyme required to make cholesterol in the body. As a result, it lowers the bad cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or LDL), triglycerides (TG) and increases the levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDL). Clopidogrel is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that collectively prevents a clot in the blood vessels. Together Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel reduces the increased levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides) and prevents blood clots, thereby reducing and preventing the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related chest pain (angina).
Yes, Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel contains clopidogrel that prevents blood clotting. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together and forming clots, preventing heart attack and stroke.
No, Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel contains Rosuvastatin, pregnancy category X medicine, and can harm both pregnant mother and unborn baby. Even if you are planning for pregnancy, tell your doctor that you are using Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel.
If you accidentally take an overdose of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel, you may have liver problems (increased secretion of liver enzymes) and bleeding complications. If problems persist, you should immediately go to the nearby clinic or hospital.
It would be best if you had total lipid profile (TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, TC) and Blood coagulation tests like Complete blood count (CBC), Factor V assay, Fibrinogen Test, Prothrombin time (PT or PT-INR), Platelet count, Thrombin time and Bleeding time to analyze your blood clot timing and cholesterol level.
Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood-thinning effect of your medicine.
Yes, prolonged use of Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel may cause muscle diseases like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. So if you feel any musculoskeletal pain after taking Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel, consult your doctor about this issue.
Drinking alcohol with Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel may damage your liver and increase liver enzymes like transaminase. So, Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel should be used with caution who consume alcohol and/or have a liver disease history.
Yes, taking Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel can increase bleeding risk as it contains aspirin and clopidogrel, which belongs to a class of blood-thinning agents. So, please be very cautious while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or using sharp objects to avoid bleeding. Before going through any surgical procedure, let your doctor know that you are taking the Rosuvastatin+clopidogrel.
