Can taking Plavix medicine ?

Question:

be the cause of rectal bleeding, I am freaking out, my Father had a heart attack on May 2009 of last year. He is taking Plavix 75mg - Metoprolol 50mg - Lipitor 80mg - Benzepril Hcl 40mg (mylan)#30

and he never had any hemorrhoid problem before.

he keeps assuring me if bleeding gets worst then we go to hospital



need help and advise



thanks

Answer:

Plavix is a blood thinner that increases the risk of bleeding and inhibits the bodies ability to clot blood. Plavix is not the direct cause of the rectal bleeding, but it certainly is involved. The rectal bleeding could be from hemorrhoids or other causes of lower GI bleeding. Never stop a medication like Plavix without discussing it with the doctor. Plavix can be discontinued temporarily until the bleeding is controlled depending on his indication for Plavix. If your father had a heart attack but no stent placement in the arteries around the heart, then stopping Plavix temporarily is not a problem. If he has a stent in his artery, then it depends on the type of stent and how long it has been there. Stopping Plavix too early could lead to the formation of clot in the stent and life threatening heart attack. I mention this as a reason of why you should not stop a medication like Plavix without discussing it with his doctors. Go to the hospital, determine the cause of bleeding and try to control it. There are risks and benefits with every medication. There are many benefits from Plavix, but there is a risk of problems such as bleeding. Source(s): Physician