Ticlopidine may cause a decrease in white blood cells, which fight infection in the body. If you have fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of an infection, call your doctor immediately.
Ticlopidine may also cause a potentially life-threatening decrease in platelets, which may occur as part of a syndrome that includes injury to red blood cells, causing anemia, kidney abnormalities, neurologic changes, and fever. This condition is called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).
Call your doctor immediately if you have yellowing of the skin or eyes, pinpoint dots (rash) on the skin, pale color, fever, difficulty speaking, seizures, weakness on a side of the body, or dark urine.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order lab tests, especially during the first 3 months of treatment, to check your response to ticlopidine.
Ticlopidine is used to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a stroke or have had warning signs of a stroke and who cannot be treated with aspirin. Ticlopidine is also used along with aspirin to prevent blood clots from forming in coronary stents (metal tubes surgically placed in clogged blood vessels to improve blood flow). It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from collecting and forming clots.
Ticlopidine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ticlopidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take ticlopidine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ticlopidine without talking to your doctor.
Ticlopidine also is used before open heart surgery and in the treatment of sickle cell disease, certain types of kidney disease (primary glomerulonephritis), and blocked arteries in the legs. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ticlopidine,any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ticlopidine tablets.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antacids, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, cimetidine (Tagamet), clopidogrel (Plavix), digoxin (Lanoxin), and theophylline (Theo-Dur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
if you also take antacids (Maalox, Mylanta) take them 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking ticlopidine.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, bleeding disorders, bleeding ulcers, low blood cell counts (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, TTP), kidney disease, high blood cholesterol, or high blood fats (triglycerides).
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ticlopidine, call your doctor.
talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking ticlopidine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take ticlopidine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ticlopidine. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking ticlopidine 10 to 14 days before your procedure. Follow these directions.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your usual diet.
Ticlopidine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Ticlopidine prevents blood from clotting so it may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding if you are cut or injured. Avoid activities that have a high risk of causing injury. Call your doctor if bleeding is unusual.
¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.