Effient

Generic Name: Prasugrel
Brand Names: Effient

What is Effient?

Effient (prasugrel) keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.

Effient is used to prevent blood clots in people with acute coronary syndrome who are undergoing a procedure after a recent heart attack or stroke, and in people with certain disorders of the heart or blood vessels.

Effient may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Important information about Effient

Effient keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions. Because of this drug action, Effient can 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 or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using Effient. You may need to stop using the medicine for at least 7 days before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.

While you are taking Effient, do not take 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.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Effient?

Do not use Effient if you are allergic to prasugrel, or if you have any active bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury), or a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke").

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Effient:

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
a stomach ulcer;
severe liver disease; or
just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

FDA pregnancy category B. Effient 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 prasugrel passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Effient without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Effient?

Take Effient 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.

Effient can be taken with or without food.

Do not crush or break a Effient tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

Because Effient 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.

You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines. Call your doctor at once if you feel very weak or dizzy, or if you have black or bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. Store Effient at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet of moisture-absorbing preservative that comes with Effient tablets.

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, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. 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 vomiting, feeling exhausted or short of breath, blurred vision, watery eyes, trouble walking, and blood in your stools or vomit.

What should I avoid while taking Effient?

Effient side effects

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

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

unusual bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or any bleeding that will not stop;
pale skin, fever, easy bruising, purple or red spots under your skin;
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
unexpected vaginal bleeding;
feeling very weak or dizzy;
blood in your urine or stools, black 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; or sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance.

Less serious Effient side effects may include:

mild headache or dizziness;
back pain, minor chest pain;
cough;
nausea; or
tired feeling.

What other drugs will affect Effient?

Before taking Effient, tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

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