Blood Thinner Alternatives to Plavix

According to Drugs.com, Plavix, or clopidogrel bisulfate, is a drug used to prevent blood clots in patients suffering from recent heart attacks and stroke, patients with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease. According to Consumerreports.com, Plavix belongs to a class of medications known as antiplatelets. Other antiplatelets that can be used instead of Plavix include Integrilin, Aggrastat and Effient.

Integrilin

According to Drugs.com, Integrilin, also known as eptifibatide, prevents platelets from sticking together. Patients allergic to eptifibatide should avoid taking Integrilin. Patients with active stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding should also avoid Integrilin. Common side effects of Integrilin include nausea, dizziness, stomach pain, easy bruising and bleeding. Integrilin interferes with clotting of blood and may cause blood disorders. Signs and symptoms of blood disorders include reddish purple spots on the skin, black tarry stool, coffee grounds vomit, weakness, dizziness when standing up, fainting, fever, chills and sore throat.

Aggrastat

Drugs.com states that Aggrastat, also known as tirofiban, is an antiplatelet that inhibits blood clotting by preventing platelets from sticking together. Patients allergic to tirofiban should not use Aggrastat. Patients with stroke, active bleeding and clotting disorders should also avoid Aggrastat. Common side effects of Aggrastat include dizziness, headache, leg pain, nausea, pelvic pain, sweating, easy bruising and bleeding. Aggrastat interferes with blood clotting and may cause blood disorders. Signs and symptoms of blood disorders include sore throat, fever, chills, weakness, dizziness, purple spots under the skin, black tarry stool, coughing blood, nosebleeds, coffee grounds vomit and abdominal pain.

Effient

According to Drugs.com, Effient is also known as prasugrel and is an antiplatelet that inhibits the formation of blood clots by preventing platelets from sticking together. Common side effects of Effient include headache, back pain, nausea, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, easy bruising and bleeding. Effient interferes with blood clotting and may cause blood disorders. Signs and symptoms of blood disorders include nosebleeds, dark tarry stool, red or dark spots under the skin, vomiting blood, severe stomach pains, weakness, dizziness while standing, fever, chills and sore throat.