Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Ticlopidine is an oral drug that inhibits the
ability of platelets to clump and form blood clots in a manner similar to
clopidogrel (Plavix). It is used to prevent blood clots from forming. Blood
clots that form within the arteries of the brain or that break off from clots in
other parts of the body and lodge in blood vessels in the brain cause strokes.
Similarly, heart attacks occur when blood clots block an artery in the heart. In
both cases the blood supply to part of the brain or heart is blocked and that
part of the brain or heart is damaged or dies. Ticlopidine works by making the
blood less likely to clot, therefore, reducing the likelihood of a stroke or
heart attack. The FDA approved ticlopidine in October 1991.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 250 mg
STORAGE: Ticlopidine should be stored at room temperature, 15 to 30 C (59 to
86 F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Ticlopidine is used for preventing strokes in patients who
have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs
or "mini-stroke").
It also is used for preventing blood clots in stents placed in the arteries of
the heart.
Non-FDA approved (off-label) uses include prevention of heart attacks
in patients with unstable angina (often associated with heart attacks) or who
have experienced prior heart attacks; combination with
aspirin for preventing
blood clots in stents; and intermittent claudication (due to blockage by clots
of blood flowing to the legs). Ticlopidine is most often used when aspirin has
failed, is not tolerated, or cannot be used for other reasons. It is rarely used
otherwise because of a serious side effect that can
reduce white blood cells and
platelets.
DOSING: The recommended dose is 250 mg twice daily. A single 500 mg dose is
administered several hours before stent placement.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Combining ticlopidine with other drugs that promote
bleeding increases the risk of bleeding. Examples include aspirin, warfarin
(Coumadin), and
heparin.
Ticlopidine may increase duloxetine (Cymbalta) levels by reducing the break
down of duloxetine in the liver and lead to side effects from duloxetine. The
combination may also increase the risk of bleeding because duloxetine can
interfere with platelet function.
Ticlopidine may increase pimozide (Orap) levels by reducing the break-down of
pimozide in the liver. Increased pimozide levels may cause
abnormal heart
rhythms.
PREGNANCY: Ticlopidine has not been adequately studied in
pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if ticlopidine is secreted in
human
breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects of ticlopidine include diarrhea, nausea,
rash, stomach upset, and vomiting. Ticlopidine has been associated with a severe
reduction in white blood cell count. Ticlopidine also causes a condition called
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). TTP is a serious condition in which
blood clots form throughout the body. Blood platelets, which participate in
clotting, are consumed, and the result can be bleeding because enough platelets
are no longer left to allow blood to clot normally.
Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for blood clots include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.
A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the body. Internal bleeding can be caused by a variety of situations such as blunt trauma, deceleration trauma, medications, fractures, and spontaneous bleeding. Treatment of internal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis. Peripheral artery disease symptoms include: intermittent claudication, rest pain, numbness in the extremities, and more. Treatment for peripheral artery disease include: lifestyle measures, medication, angioplasty, and surgery.
When a portion of the brain loses blood supply, through a blood clot or embolus, a transient ischemic attack (TIA, mini-stroke) may occur. If the symptoms do not resolve, a stroke most likely has occurred. Symptoms of TIA include: confusion, weakness, lethargy, and loss of function to one side of the body. Risk factors for TIA include vascular disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Treatment depends upon the severity of the TIA, and whether it resolves.
Intermittent claudication, or pain and cramping in the lower leg is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles. This lack of blood flow causes a decrease in oxygen delivered to the muscles of the legs. Claudication is generally felt when walking and decreases with rest. In severe cases, claudication may be felt at rest. Narrowing of arteries cause claudication. Treatment includes exercise, medication, and in some cases surgery.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a diseases in which blood clots within the capillaries. Causes associated with HUS include E. Coli, birth control pills, pneumonia, medications such as chemotherapy, Ticlid, and quinine. Symptoms of HUS include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Diagnosis of HUS includes medical history, physical examination, and medical tests. Treatment includes rest, fluids, possible hospitalization for blood transfusion or complications due to kidney failure.
Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States. Some of the warning signs of stroke include sudden confusion, trouble seeing with one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance, and more. Stroke prevention and reatable risk factors for stroke include lowering high blood pressure, quit smoking, heart disease, diabetes control and prevention.
While the general public understands that internal
bleeding means bleeding that can't be seen on the outside of the body, medical
personnel tend to use terms that describe precisely where inside the body the
bleeding is found. The internal bleeding may occur within tissues, organs, or in
cavities of the body including the head, chest, and abdomen. Examples of other
potential sites of bleeding include the eye, lining tissues of the heart, muscles, and joints.
Bleeding outside the body is quite easy to recognize. If the skin is damaged by
a laceration,
puncture, or abrasion, blood can
be witnessed as it streams out of the body. The scalp, with its rich blood
supply, is notorious for demonstrating massive blood loss. Internal bleeding can
be much more difficult to identify. It may not be evident for many hours after
it begins, and symptoms occur when there is significant blood loss or if a
blood
clot is large eno...
Heart RSS
Healthy Living Tips
