Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Effient

Generic Name: prasugrel (Pronunciation: PRA soo grel)

• What is prasugrel (Effient)?
• What are the possible side effects of prasugrel (Effient)?
• What is the most important information I should know about prasugrel (Effient)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking prasugrel (Effient)?
• How should I take prasugrel (Effient)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Effient)?
• What happens if I overdose (Effient)?
• What should I avoid while taking prasugrel (Effient)?
• What other drugs will affect prasugrel (Effient)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is prasugrel (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.

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 are the possible side effects of prasugrel (Effient)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: 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 side effects may include:

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

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 is the most important information I should know about prasugrel (Effient)?

Prasugrel 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, prasugrel 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.

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 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.

If you need to have any type of 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 at least 7 days before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.

While you are taking prasugrel, 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.