• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is ticlopidine?
Ticlopidine prevents substances in the blood, called platelets, from clustering. This helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Ticlopidine is used to prevent strokes in patients who have had a stroke or who have experienced transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes"). Ticlopidine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of ticlopidine?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ticlopidine and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• bloody or black vomit or stools;

• unusual, prolonged, or severe bleeding or bruising;

• fever, chills, a sore throat, or other signs of infection;

• a rash (including pinpoint dots on the skin);

• yellow skin or eyes;

• abdominal pain;

• dark-yellow urine;

• light-colored stools;

• pale skin;

• weakness on a side of the body;

• severe headache, confusion, or dizziness;

• easy bruising; or

• a bleeding nose.

Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take ticlopidine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;

• ringing in the ears;

• diarrhea;

• dizziness; or

• itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take ticlopidine?
Take ticlopidine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take ticlopidine with food or just after eating to lessen stomach upset. Your doctor will need to monitor your blood with blood tests before starting treatment with ticlopidine and every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment. If your treatment with ticlopidine is stopped within the first three months of treatment, you will still need a blood test two weeks after stopping the medication.

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What is the most important information I should know about ticlopidine?
It may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding, even from minor wounds. Contact your doctor if you experience unusual, prolonged, or severe bleeding or bruising. Treatment with ticlopidine may reduce the number of white blood cells in your body (called neutropenia), which could lead to infection. If caught early, this side effect can be reversed, but if undetected, it can be fatal. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection including fever, chills, or a sore throat.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect ticlopidine?
Do not take ticlopidine without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: aspirin; warfarin (Coumadin); heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), or enoxaparin (Lovenox); clopidogrel (Plavix); dipyridamole (Persantine); or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin).

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Ticlopidine has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity, however, dosages of 200 to 400 mg/kg/day resulted in maternal and fetal toxicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Ticlopidine should be given during pregnancy only when benefit outweighs the risk.

There are no data on the excretion of ticlopidine into human milk. Animal studies have shown ticlopidine to be excreted in rat milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to ticlopidine.
• Preexisting hematopoietic disorders (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, history of TTP or aplastic anemia). (See Hematologic Toxicity under Cautions.)
• Hemostatic disorders or active pathologic bleeding (e.g., bleeding peptic ulcer, intracranial bleeding). (See Conditions Predisposing to Bleeding under Cautions.)
• Severe hepatic impairment.

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What does my medication look like?
Ticlopidine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Ticlid. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Ticlid 250 mg--white, oval, film-coated tablets

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a ticlopidine overdose are unknown but might include vomiting, difficulty breathing, blood in the vomit or stool, seizures, and loss of coordination.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ticlopidine?
Do not take ticlopidine without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to ticlopidine, active bleeding anywhere in your body {such as bleeding in the stomach from an ulcer or a stroke of a certain type (bleeding in the head)}, a blood disorder or a bleeding problem including neutropenia or thrombocytopenia, or been told that you had TTP. Before taking ticlopidine, tell your doctor if you have: a stomach or intestinal ulcer, high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in your blood,

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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