What is prasugrel?
Prasugrel keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Prasugrel is used to prevent blood clots in people with acute coronary syndrome who are undergoing a procedure after a recent heart attack or stroke, and in people with certain disorders of the heart or blood vessels.
Prasugrel may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about prasugrel?
Prasugrel keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions. Because of this drug action, prasugrel can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines. Call your doctor at once if you have black or bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract.
If you need to have any type of surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using prasugrel. You may need to stop using the medicine for at least 7 days before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.
While you are taking prasugrel, do not take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) without your doctor's advice. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prasugrel?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to prasugrel, or if you have any active bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury), or a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke").
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
a stomach ulcer;
severe liver disease; or
just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether prasugrel passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.