The following information is a summary about Ticlid. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
What is ticlopidine?
Ticlopidine prevents substances in the blood, called platelets, from clustering. This helps to
prevent blood clots from forming.
Ticlopidine is used to prevent strokes in patients who have had a stroke or who have
experienced transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes").
Although not approved by the FDA for these purposes, ticlopidine has also been used to
reduce the rate of reocclusion of arteries following angioplasty or stent placement, and to reduce the
chance of a heart attack in some patients with coronary artery disease.
Ticlopidine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about ticlopidine?
It may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding, even from minor wounds. Contact your
doctor if you experience unusual, prolonged, or severe bleeding or bruising.
Treatment with ticlopidine may reduce the number of white blood cells in your body (called
neutropenia), which could lead to infection. If caught early, this side effect can be reversed, but if
undetected, it can be fatal. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection including
fever, chills, or a sore throat.
Ticlopidine may also cause a decrease in platelets (called thrombocytopenia). This may
occur as part of a syndrome called TTP that includes injury to red blood cells, causing anemia, kidney
problems, neurologic changes, fever, and possibly death. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop
signs of TTP including yellow skin or eye color, pinpoint dots (rash) on the skin, pale color, fever,
weakness on a side of the body, or dark urine.
Also, some people may develop jaundice (liver damage) while taking ticlopidine. Notify
your doctor immediately if you develop yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, dark-yellow
urine, or light-colored stools.
Your doctor will need to monitor your blood with blood tests before starting treatment with
ticlopidine and every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment. If your treatment with ticlopidine is
stopped within the first three months of treatment, you will still need a blood test two weeks after
stopping the medication.
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox,
Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone
(Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) without
first talking to your doctor.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before undergoing any surgical
procedures.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
ticlopidine?
Do not take ticlopidine without first talking to your doctor if you have
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had an allergic reaction to ticlopidine,
-
active bleeding anywhere in your body {such as bleeding in
the stomach from an ulcer or a stroke of a certain type (bleeding in the head)},
-
a blood disorder or a bleeding problem including
neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, or
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been told that you had TTP.
Before taking ticlopidine, tell your doctor if you have:
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a stomach or intestinal ulcer,
-
high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in
your blood,
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kidney disease,
-
liver disease, or
-
recently had, or need to have, surgery (including dental
surgery).
You may not be able to take ticlopidine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Ticlopidine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm
an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or
planning a pregnancy.
It is not known whether ticlopidine passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take ticlopidine?
Take ticlopidine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take ticlopidine with food or just after eating to lessen stomach upset.
Your doctor will need to monitor your blood with blood tests before starting treatment with
ticlopidine and every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment. If your treatment with ticlopidine is
stopped within the first three months of treatment, you will still need a blood test two weeks after
stopping the medication.
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. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a ticlopidine overdose are unknown but might include vomiting, difficulty
breathing, blood in the vomit or stool, seizures, and loss of coordination.
What should I avoid while taking ticlopidine?
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox,
Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone
(Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without first
talking to your doctor.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before undergoing any surgical
procedures.
Ticlopidine side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ticlopidine and seek
emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
bloody or black vomit or stools;
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unusual, prolonged, or severe bleeding or bruising;
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fever, chills, a sore throat, or other signs of infection;
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a rash (including pinpoint dots on the skin);
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yellow skin or eyes;
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abdominal pain;
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dark-yellow urine;
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light-colored stools;
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pale skin;
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weakness on a side of the body;
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severe headache, confusion, or dizziness;
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easy bruising; or
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a bleeding nose.
Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take ticlopidine
and talk to your doctor if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect ticlopidine?
Do not take ticlopidine without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the
following medicines:
-
aspirin;
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin),
danaparoid (Orgaran), or enoxaparin (Lovenox);
-
clopidogrel (Plavix);
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dipyridamole (Persantine); or
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), ketoprofen
(Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), diflunisal
(Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin).
The medicines listed above can cause bleeding, especially when taken with
ticlopidine. This interaction could become dangerous.
Before taking ticlopidine, tell your doctor if you are taking
-
antacids or cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
-
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
-
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others); or
-
phenytoin (Dilantin).
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking
any of the medications listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ticlopidine. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has more information about ticlopidine written for health professionals that you
may read.
What does my medication look like?
Ticlopidine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Ticlid. Other
brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have
about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
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
