What is the Generic for Plavix?
Plavix is an anti-coagulant prescription drug produced in partnership by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Plavix is usually prescribed to prevent blood clots in victims of recent strokes or heart attacks. Plavix can also be prescribed to treat other cardiac or circulatory disorders.
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Generic Availability
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The generic drug name for Plavix is clopidogrel bisulfate. While generic clopidogrel is produced in some countries such as India, sales of the generic drug are blocked in the United States due to patent protection.
Patent Protection
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In June of 2007, a United States judge upheld the Plavix patent, blocking Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex from producing generic clopidogrel. The U.S. patent protection for Plavix will not expire until November of 2011.
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Foreign Equivalents
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Clopidogrel is produced outside the United States under the trade name Clopilet by Sun Pharmaceuticals and under the trade name Ceruvin by Ranbaxy Laboratories.
Pharmacology
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Plavix works by preventing platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots. It accomplishes this by inhibiting an adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor located on platelets.
Warning
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Since Plavix works as an anti-coagulant, it can lead to excessive bleeding from even minor injuries. This bleeding can also be internal and not immediately apparent. Check with your doctor before taking any other types of medicine with Plavix.
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