Abnormal blood clots can occur within the body when the blood is not capable of thinning itself. Clopidogrel bisulfate, marketed under the name Plavix, is known as a blood thinner or antiplatelet. It prevents blood cells (platelets) from lumping together and forming blood clots.
The way that Clopidogrel bisulfate works is it prevents adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from binding to receptors found on the platelets. ADP is a chemical that the body forms naturally and allows platelets to blot. When Clopidogrel bisulfate can stop ADP from binding, the likelihood of clots forming within the blood is reduced significantly.
When a blood clot forms inside of a blood vessel, it is referred to as a thrombosis. This can be very dangerous because it can block the blood supply to an organ. When the blockage occurs in an artery that supplies blood to the brain or heart, it can result in a stroke or heart attack. When there is a clot within a vessel of any extremity, such as an arm or leg, gangrene can occur.
As such, any time abnormal blood clots occur, they need to be addressed quickly to ensure that blood flow is returned to normal function. When clots and blockages form, it is often because of a buildup of atherosclerosis. This is plaque within the arteries that is made up of cholesterol, fat and other substances. The interior of the vessels look bumpy, rough and are narrowed. This makes it harder for the blood to flow through and increases the probability of clotting occurring within the vessels.
Clopidogrel bisulfate is prescribed by the doctor to reduce the risk of thrombosis in people who have already had a heart attack or stroke. It can also be used to reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the blood vessels of people who have had severe chest pain, angina and peripheral arterial disease.
Many times, Clopidogrel bisulfate or Plavix is prescribed in conjunction with aspirin to help prevent a heart attack in the future because of its ability to reduce clotting within the blood vessels.
Due to Clopidogrel bisulfate being a blood thinner, it may be harder for someone to stop bleeding if they should cut themselves. Unexplained bleeding and bruising is possible with the medication and should be reported to a doctor immediately. Blood samples will also be taken by a doctor to confirm that blood cell counts are where they need to be prior to prescribing Plavix.
Abnormal blood clots can be life threatening and when they appear in the blood vessels, they need to be addressed immediately. Clopidogrel bisulfate is capable of thinning out the blood and helping to improve the flow of blood through the vessels when atherosclerosis is present. This ensures that clotting is minimized, allowing blood to flow to all of the vital organs.
