Apagrel 10mg Tablet

Composition Prasugrel (10mg)
Rx Prescription Required
Pack strip of 6 tablets
Storage Store below 30°C
Chemical Class Piperazine derivative
Action Class P2Y12 inhibitors (ADP receptor)
Habbit Forming No
Manufacturer Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Manufacturer address Chinubhai Centre, Off. Nehru Bridge, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380009. Gujarat. India.

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is used to treat people with a recent heart attack or severe heart-related chest pain (unstable angina), who have undergone stenting of the heart. It helps to prevent serious heart-related problems like having another heart attack, stroke, or formation of blood clots in stents.

This medicine may be prescribed along with aspirin, another antiplatelet medicine. It may be taken with or without food and should be taken regularly at the same time each day. It is important to keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. If you stop taking this medicine, it may increase your chances of having another heart attack or stroke.

The most common side effect seen with this medicine is bleeding. This may be in the form of bruising, nose bleeds, blood in urine or stools (black-colored stools), or heavier periods than usual in women. If you cut or injure yourself, it may take longer than usual for the bleeding to stop. Such episodes of bleeding are usually mild and resolve on their own. However, you should consult your doctor straight away if the bleeding persists or worries you.

This medicine is not suitable for some people. Do not take it if you are bleeding from anywhere in the body such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding within the brain, or if you have severe liver problems. Before taking it, you should let your doctor know if you have ever had a problem with your blood not clotting properly or if you have recently had a serious injury or surgery. This medicine may need to be stopped temporarily before planned surgery or dental treatment.

Prevention of Heart attack
Prevention of Stroke

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Apagrel 10mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is an antiplatelet medication. It works by preventing platelets from sticking together, thereby decreasing the formation of harmful blood clots. This lowers the chances of another heart attack or stroke.

If you miss a dose of Apagrel 10mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

For best results, take it at the same time every day.

Apagrel 10mg Tablet increases your risk of bleeding. Be careful while shaving, using sharp objects, or cutting fingernails or toenails.

Do not discontinue using the medicine without consulting your doctor as this may increase your chances of having another heart attack or stroke.

If you are scheduled to undergo a surgery or dental treatment, you may be asked to stop taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet temporarily.

Q. Is Apagrel 10mg Tablet a blood thinner?

Yes, Apagrel 10mg Tablet is a type of blood thinner. It works by preventing platelets (type of blood cells) from sticking together and forming clots. This action of Apagrel 10mg Tablet helps in preventing conditions like heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease, who have recently suffered a heart attack or severe heart-related chest pain (unstable angina).

Q. Can you drink alcohol while taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet?

It is not advised to take alcohol while taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet, as alcohol may increase your chance of stomach bleeding. As a result, you may vomit blood (which may be bright red blood or black/dark brown like coffee grounds) or you may have bloody or black tarry stools. Discuss with your doctor if you are not sure.

Q. Can you take aspirin with Apagrel 10mg Tablet?

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is usually prescribed along with aspirin in to prevent serious or life-threatening problems associated with heart or blood vessels (like heart attack, stroke, clot formation in a stent). This combination of medicine is given to patients who have recently had a heart attack and underwent angioplasty (stent placement in blocked blood vessels of the heart)had a heart attack, stroke, or had angioplasty to remove the blockage in arteries which supply the heart. Please consult your doctor before taking any medicine if you are taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet and follow the doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit.

Q. Do I need to stop Apagrel 10mg Tablet before surgery?

Your doctor will decide whether you need to stop taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet before any surgery or treatment or not. Usually, if a surgery or treatment is planned beforehand, the doctor may stop Apagrel 10mg Tablet a few days (usually 7 days) before the surgery or treatment owing to the increased risk of bleeding during the procedure. You should not stop taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet on your own without discussing it with your doctor.

Q. What is the most important information I need to know about Apagrel 10mg Tablet?

Apagrel 10mg Tablet may cause serious or life-threatening bleeding. Moreover, you may bruise easily and it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop even if you have a minor injury such as a small cut while shaving. Get emergency medical help if you notice excessive or prolonged bleeding. You should inform your doctor if you notice black tarry stools or if there is blood in the urine. Be vigilant on any signs of stroke such as sudden numbness or weakness (one side or both sides of the body), difficulty walking, mental confusion, slurred speech, dizziness and any unexplained headache. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any such signs of stroke as stroke is an uncommon side effect of Apagrel 10mg Tablet and needs urgent medical attention as it can otherwise be fatal.

Q. What if I forget to take a dose of Apagrel 10mg Tablet?

If you have missed a dose of Apagrel 10mg Tablet, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, take it in the regular schedule instead of taking the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.

Q. How long do I need to take Apagrel 10mg Tablet after stent insertion?

The exact duration of taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet will be decided by your doctor after considering various factors like the illness you are being treated for, type of stent inserted, any episodes of bleeding experienced by you during treatment etc. Usually, it is prescribed for a minimum duration of 1 year. However, follow your doctor’s advice precisely to get maximum benefit of Apagrel 10mg Tablet. Discuss with your doctor before stopping the medication, as sudden discontinuation may increase the chances of clot formation in the stent, heart attack, and can even lead to death.

Q. What should I avoid while taking Apagrel 10mg Tablet?

Avoid activities that may increase your chances of bleeding. Be extra careful while shaving or brushing your teeth to prevent bleeding. You should avoid taking painkillers, but if you need to take one like ibuprofen for joint pain, headache, backache etc, then consult your doctor first. This is because taking pain killers with Apagrel 10mg Tablet may increase your chances of developing a stomach ulcer and bleeding. Refrain from taking excessive alcohol with Apagrel 10mg Tablet as it can irritate your stomach and lead to a stomach ulcer as well.

In Prevention of Heart attack

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is an antiplatelet medicine, or blood thinner. It works by preventing cells called platelets from sticking together and helps to prevent your blood from clotting inside veins and arteries. This helps the blood flow freely around your body thereby preventing a heart attack or stroke (or deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism). Take this medicine regularly and make appropriate lifestyle changes to achieve maximum benefits. It is often prescribed along with a low dose of aspirin which also helps to prevent blood from clotting.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Bleeding

Alcohol:SAFE

Consuming alcohol with Apagrel 10mg Tablet does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving:SAFE

Apagrel 10mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Apagrel 10mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Apagrel 10mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:CAUTION

Apagrel 10mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Apagrel 10mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Limited information is available on the use of Apagrel 10mg Tablet in these patients. No dose adjustment is recommended in patients with mild to moderate liver disease.

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Flipiox KA, White HD, Gersh BJ, et al. Antithrombotic Agents: Platelete Inhibitors, Acute Anticoagulants, Fibrinolytics, and Chronic Anticoagulants. In: Opie LH, Gersh BJ, editors. Drugs for the Heart. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Elsevier Saunders; 2013. pp. 350-51

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