Ticlopidine is a blood-thinning medicine. It prevents platelets in the blood from sticking to each other. This reduces the risk of harmful blood clots forming in your body. Blood clots that form in a blood vessel inside the brain or a vessel leading to the brain can cause a stroke.
This medicine is used to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have a high risk of getting it. This includes people who have had a stroke before and are at risk of getting another stroke and people with medical conditions that may increase their chances of getting a stroke.
Ticlopidine is also used together with other medicines to prevent blood clots in people who have had stents inserted into their heart arteries.
Take Ticlopidine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with food to reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Ticlopidine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by your doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- existing or history of blood disorders
- active bleeding problems e.g. stomach ulcer, bleeding within the brain
- severe liver disease
as Ticlopidine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- any other conditions that increase your risk for bleeding e.g. recent trauma or surgery, stomach lesion
- drug-eluting stents placed inside the heart’s arteries
- mild to moderate liver disease
- moderate to severe kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Ticlopidine.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Regular monitoring of liver function tests and signs of bleeding (e.g. coughing or vomiting up blood) may also be needed. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Ticlopidine may cause any of the following side effects: dizziness, headache, stomach upset, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite, and itchy rashes.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- coughing up or vomiting of blood, blood in the urine or stools
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. phenazone
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- medicines that reduce stomach acid e.g. antacids, cimetidine
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
- digoxin (medicine for irregular heartbeat and heart failure)
- ciclosporin (medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
- medicines to treat depression
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ticlopidine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
