Ticlopidine

Ticlopidine is a blood thinner drug to prevent blood clots from forming which can be bad for health. Ticlopidine is available in tablet form and can be used alone or in combination with other drugs.

Ticlopidine belongs to the class of antiplatelet drugs. This drug works by blocking platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots that can cause a stroke or heart attack .

Ticlopidine is usually used to prevent recurrent stroke in people who are at risk of having it, for example in people with atrial fibrillation , heart defects, sickle cell anemia , or people with a history of stroke. Ticlopidine can also be used in patients undergoing a cardiac stent procedure .

Trademarks for ticlopidine: Ticard and Ticuring.

What is Ticlopidine

Precautions Before Taking Ticlopidine

There are several things that need to be considered before undergoing treatment with ticlopidine, including:

• Do not take ticlopidine if you are allergic to it or to other antiplatelet drugs, such as clopidogrel . Always tell your doctor about any allergies you have before using ticlopidine.
• Tell your doctor if you have serious liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery or are bleeding, whether from a stomach ulcer or injury.
• Tell your doctor if you have a blood disorder or bleeding disorder, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura ( TTP ), agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia , thrombocytopenia, hemophilia , or von Willebrand's disease .
• Consult your doctor about using ticlopidine if you have had or currently have stomach ulcers , kidney disease, liver disease , or high cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
• Talk to your doctor about taking ticlopidine if you are taking other medications, including supplements and herbal products. The goal is to anticipate drug interactions.
• Tell your doctor that you are using ticlopidine before having surgery, including dental surgery. The use of ticlopidine usually needs to be discontinued at least 2 weeks before surgery.
• Do not get vaccinated while using ticlopidine without your doctor's approval.
• Avoid direct contact with people with infectious diseases, such as smallpox, flu or measles. Using ticlopidine can increase your risk of contracting an infectious disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages while being treated with ticlopidine, because alcohol can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Immediately consult a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects after taking ticlopidine.

Dosage and Rules for Use Ticlopidine

The use of ticlopidine is only intended for adult patients. The dose of ticlopidine given by the doctor will be adjusted according to the patient's condition.

In general, the following are the doses of ticlopidine based on their intended use:

Purpose: Prevent blood clots after cardiac stent placement

• Dose 250 mg twice daily for 4–6 wk, starting before or on the day of cardiac stent insertion. For this condition, ticlopidine is taken with aspirin.

Goal: Prevent recurrent stroke in patients who are at risk of experiencing it

• Dosage 250 mg 2 times a day. The use of ticlopidine to prevent recurrent stroke is only intended for patients who cannot take aspirin, or in cases of stroke that are difficult to treat with aspirin.

How to Take Ticlopidine Properly

Follow the doctor 's instructions and read the information on the drug packaging before taking ticlopidine. Do not reduce or increase the dose consumed without doctor's approval.

Take ticlopidine with food or immediately after eating. Swallow ticlopidine tablets with plain water.

Using ticlopidine can make bleeding difficult to stop. Therefore, be careful when using sharp objects, and avoid sports that involve physical fighting, such as football or boxing.

While undergoing treatment with ticlopidine, patients need to periodically undergo blood tests and liver function tests. This is so that the doctor can monitor the results of therapy and your condition.

Take ticlopidine regularly at the same time each day for optimal benefits. If you forget to take ticlopidine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if the next scheduled time is near, ignore the missed dose and do not double the next dose.

Do not stop using ticlopidine before the time prescribed by the doctor even though your symptoms have improved.

Store ticlopidine tablets in a closed container in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight, and out of reach of children.

Interactions of Ticlopidine with Other Drugs

There are several interactions that can occur when using ticlopidine together with other drugs, namely:

• Increased risk of bleeding when used with other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, pentoxifylline, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , or SSRI antidepressants
• Increased risk of side effects from ticlopidine when used with cimetidine
• Increased risk of side effects from phenytoin, ketamine , theophylline, or carbamazepine drugs
• Decreased effectiveness of ticlopidine when used with antacid drugs
• Decreased effectiveness of digoxin or ciclosporin drugs

In addition, using ticlopidine with ginkgo biloba can increase the risk of bleeding.

Ticlopidine Side Effects and Dangers

Side effects that may occur after taking ticlopidine include:

• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Itchy skin
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

Check with your doctor if these side effects don't go away or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects, such as:

• Coughing up blood or vomiting like coffee grounds
• Bloody or dark urine
• Bloody bowel movements or black stools like tar
• Bleeding gums or nosebleeds that are hard to stop
• Unusual bruises or red spots appear on the skin
• The body feels very tired or weak
• Pale skin, easy dizziness, palpitations
• Symptoms of infection, such as fever, cough, or sore throat that doesn't go away
• seizures
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes ( jaundice )