Has your doctor prescribed you this medicine called Prasugrel? It may be because you are at risk of having a serious condition like a heart attack or stroke. This medicine is often used to prevent blood clots in our body and protect you from serious conditions caused by blocked blood vessels. So, today we will talk very simply about what this medicine is, how exactly it is used, and what we need to be especially careful about.
What is Prasugrel?
Simply put, Prasugrel is an antiplatelet drug. Blood clots are formed when cells called platelets in our blood clump together. This is usually necessary to stop bleeding after an injury, but sometimes, for no apparent reason, these blood clots can form inside blood vessels, which can be very dangerous. If these clots block blood flow to the heart or brain, they can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Prasugrel works by preventing platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots. This medicine can therefore protect you from heart attacks, strokes and other serious blood vessel problems . Effient is a well-known brand name for this medicine.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before using Prasugrel, it is very important to tell your doctor about your medical history. This is because some medical conditions can make it dangerous to use this medicine. If you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor .
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Bleeding diseases or brain hemorrhages | This medication increases the risk of bleeding, which can be dangerous if you already have such a condition. |
| Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) | If you have had a previous stroke, this medication may increase the risk of another brain bleed. |
| Conditions such as stomach ulcers, polyps in the large intestine, or diverticulitis | These conditions can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. |
| A recent serious accident or surgery | The risk of bleeding due to injury or surgery is already high. |
| Kidney or liver disease | When this organ is not functioning properly, the elimination and effectiveness of the drug may change. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | The safety of this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be discussed with your doctor. |
| Allergies to prasugrel or other medicines or foods | This is very important to prevent allergic reactions. |
How should I use this medicine?
- Take this pill with a glass of water. Try to take it at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor.
- Very important: Do not break, crush, or chew this tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.
- You can take this before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop suddenly.
- If you take too much medicine: If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- If you miss a dose: If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time.
Other drugs that may cause problems with Prasugrel
When taking prasugrel, you should also be careful about other medications you are taking. Some medications can interact with it and increase the risk of bleeding.
Do not use the drug Defibrotide with this at all.
In addition, the following medications can also cause problems with Prasugrel:
- Other medications that prevent blood clotting, such as Warfarin.
- Opioid painkillers.
- NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen, are painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications.
This is not a complete list, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to pay particular attention to
It is very important to pay attention to changes in your body while taking Prasugrel.
- Surgery and dental treatment: If you are having any surgery, such as a tooth extraction, or other medical procedure, tell your doctor or dentist in advance that you are taking Prasugrel. You may be asked to stop taking the medicine a few days before the procedure .
- Signs of bleeding: While taking this medicine, even a small cut may bleed a little more. However, if you have black, tarry stools, or vomit something that looks like coffee grounds , it could be a sign of bleeding from a stomach ulcer. If this happens, call your doctor right away.
- A rare but serious condition called TTP: Sometimes, Prasugrel can cause a rare but very serious condition called Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) . Symptoms include:
- Purple spots on the skin or inside the mouth
- Pale skin, yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Feeling unusually weak or tired
- Fever
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Confusion, vision changes, difficulty speaking or walking
If any of these symptoms occur, it is an emergency. Seek medical advice immediately.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like all medicines, Prasugrel can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black stools, dark brown urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red spots on the skin, bleeding from the gums or nose. |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Vision changes, confusion, difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, difficulty walking. |
| Other serious symptoms | Chest pain, difficulty breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, decreased urine output, yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual tiredness. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting. |
| Other general characteristics | Headache, back, arm and leg pain. |
How should you store the medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), away from light and moisture. Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed.
- Do not remove the small packet inside the bottle. This is what keeps the medicine dry and free from moisture.
- Throw away expired medications. Ask your doctor about safe ways to dispose of unwanted medications.
Take-Home Message
- Prasugrel is an important drug that prevents blood clots and protects you from serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes.
- Do not stop taking this medication for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- It is imperative that you inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
- If you notice signs of unusual bleeding, such as black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or purple spots on the skin, seek medical advice immediately.
- Before any surgery or dental treatment, inform the doctor that you are taking Prasugrel.
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