What is ticlopidine?
Ticlopidine keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Ticlopidine is used to prevent blood clots after a recent heart attack or stroke, and in people with certain disorders of the heart or blood vessels.
Ticlopidine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ticlopidine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ticlopidine, or if you have severe liver disease, any active bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury), or a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or low levels of platelets (cells that help your blood clot).
Before taking ticlopidine, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke"), a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol or triglycerides, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Because ticlopidine keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it can also 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.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using ticlopidine.
While you are taking ticlopidine, do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) without your doctor's advice.
Taking ticlopidine with certain other drugs can increase your risk of bleeding. Before taking ticlopidine, tell your doctor about all other medications you use.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ticlopidine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ticlopidine, or if you have:
severe liver disease;
any active bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury); or
a blood cell disorder such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or low levels of platelets (cells that help your blood clot).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take ticlopidine:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke");
a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis;
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
liver disease; or
kidney disease.
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 ticlopidine 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.