Ticlopidine hcl. (generic Ticlid) 250mg -Ticlopid

Patient Education - English

• Generic Name: ticlopidine (oral)

• Pronounced: tye KLOE pi deen

• Brand Name: Ticlid

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 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 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.

How should I take ticlopidine?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Take ticlopidine with food.

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.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using ticlopidine.

Store ticlopidine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include cold feeling, unusual bleeding, trouble breathing, loss of balance or coordination, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking ticlopidine?

While you are taking ticlopidine, do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) without your doctor's advice. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

Avoid sports or activities that could result in a bruising or bleeding injury. Use extra caution to avoid cuts when brushing your teeth or shaving.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking ticlopidine. Alcohol may increase your risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

What are the possible side effects of ticlopidine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using ticlopidine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• nosebleed or other bleeding that will not stop;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance; or
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness, fever, and urinating more or less than usual;
• signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, mouth sores; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
• ringing in your ears;
• diarrhea;
• dizziness; or
• itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect ticlopidine?

Taking ticlopidine with certain other drugs can increase your risk of bleeding. Before taking ticlopidine, tell your doctor if you also take:

• aspirin;
• warfarin (Coumadin);
• heparin, dalteparin (Fragmin), or enoxaparin (Lovenox);
• clopidogrel (Plavix);
• dipyridamole (Persantine); or
• an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), and others.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• antacids or cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl); or
• phenytoin (Dilantin).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ticlopidine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ticlopidine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ticlopidine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.