prasugrel

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

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.

What is prasugrel?

Prasugrel is used in people who've had a balloon angioplasty to open blocked arteries after having a heart attack or severe chest pain. Prasugrel may help lower your risk of having another heart attack or stroke.

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?

• 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).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a stomach ulcer, colon polyps, or diverticulosis;
• bleeding problems;
• surgery, an injury, or a medical emergency;
• liver or kidney disease;
• if you are allergic to clopidogrel or ticlopidine;
• if you weigh less than 132 pounds (60 kilograms); or
• if you also use other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take prasugrel?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. If you also take aspirin, follow your doctor's instructions about how much to take and for how long.

Prasugrel can be taken with or without food.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery or dental work.

Do not stop using prasugrel without your doctor's advice, even if you feel fine. Stopping this medicine too soon may increase your risk of a blood clot, heart attack, or death.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking prasugrel?

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

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

What are the possible side effects of prasugrel?

Prasugrel increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening.

• 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?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• opioid medication; or
• any other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots, including heparin or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect prasugrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision date: 6/9/2021.