Pronunciation: PRA soo grel

Brand: Effient

Effient 10 mg

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Effient 5 mg

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What is the most important information I should know about prasugrel?

You should not take prasugrel if you have any active bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury), a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke"), or you are scheduled to have surgery, especially heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Prasugrel increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop, if you have black or bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time before any surgery or dental treatment. Do not stop taking prasugrel unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping too soon could cause life-threatening medical problems.

What is prasugrel?

Prasugrel helps to prevent platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming a blood clot. An unwanted blood clot can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.

Prasugrel 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.

Prasugrel may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prasugrel?

You should not use prasugrel if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • any active bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury);
  • a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke"); or
  • if you are scheduled to have surgery, especially heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

To make sure prasugrel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • a stomach ulcer;
  • stomach or intestinal bleeding;
  • a history of surgery, injury, or medical emergency;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • if you weigh less than 132 pounds;
  • if you also use other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots; or
  • if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticlopidine (Ticlid).

Prasugrel is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is usually given with prasugrel, and aspirin can cause bleeding when it is taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Aspirin can also cause side effects in a newborn 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. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take prasugrel?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Prasugrel is usually given together with aspirin. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much aspirin to take and for how long.

Prasugrel can be taken with or without food.

Because prasugrel keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, this medicine can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury such as a fall or a bump on the head. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you fall or hit your head, or have any bleeding that will not stop.

If you need surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using prasugrel. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.

Do not stop taking prasugrel unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking this medicine too soon you could have life-threatening medical problems such as a blood clot or a heart attack.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking prasugrel?

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and others. Using an NSAID with prasugrel may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

What are the possible side effects of prasugrel?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • any bleeding that will not stop;
  • pink or brown urine;
  • signs of a serious blood-clotting problem --pale skin, purple spots under your skin or on your mouth, fever, fast heart rate, weakness, stomach pain, trouble breathing, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or
  • signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

The risk of bleeding is higher in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

  • nosebleeds; or
  • easy bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect prasugrel?

Taking prasugrel with certain other drugs can increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • any other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots, including heparin or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with prasugrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about prasugrel.


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.

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