Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedies For Severe Itching While On Plavix And Aspirin
Question: My dad has been on a Plavix and Aspirin regimen for years; because of his history of strokes (he's had 3 in 12 years). He's 93 years old. He had to stop his Plavix and Aspirin for 10 days for a minor general surgery. We noticed his severe itching (mostly on his back) stopped while being off these two meds. This improved his quality of life. After the minor surgery he resumed the Plavix and Aspirin within 2 days the itching resumed worse than before and he was miserable. We asked his doctor for an alternative to Plavix and she prescribed Aggrenox instead. The Aggrenox caused diarrhea and intense abdominal pain (which was worse than the itching) and that was with taking only half the prescribed dosage. Sadly he had to be switched back to Plavix. He's treated via the VA (Veterans Administration) and unfortunately his doc spoke with the VA pharmacy and Plavix or Aggrenox are his only options. Since he is stuck taking Plavix is there anything that can be prescribed (pill) to combat the itching? He's tried everything topical (cream or lotion) known to man.
Brief Answer:
Use either Plavix or Aspirin.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for posting your query.
See both Plavix and Aspirin belong to a class of drugs called Blood thinners. But for his age only one of them is sufficient. Now we don't know whether he is having allergy to plavix or Aspirin .
My recommendation is to stop Aspirin and continue Plavix . Observe for 2 weeks and if he feels better with no itching then we can assume that he is allergic to Aspirin . In that case he can continue with only Plavix.
But inspite of stopping Aspirin if itching persists then stop Plavix and start Aspirin. Observe for 2 weeks and if he feels better with no itching then we can assume that he is allergic to Plavix . In that case he can continue with only Aspirin.
If itching persists in both the cases then revert back to me .
Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards.
Use either Plavix or Aspirin.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for posting your query.
See both Plavix and Aspirin belong to a class of drugs called Blood thinners. But for his age only one of them is sufficient. Now we don't know whether he is having allergy to plavix or Aspirin .
My recommendation is to stop Aspirin and continue Plavix . Observe for 2 weeks and if he feels better with no itching then we can assume that he is allergic to Aspirin . In that case he can continue with only Plavix.
But inspite of stopping Aspirin if itching persists then stop Plavix and start Aspirin. Observe for 2 weeks and if he feels better with no itching then we can assume that he is allergic to Plavix . In that case he can continue with only Aspirin.
If itching persists in both the cases then revert back to me .
Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Divakara,
Thank you for your response. I'm sure it's the Plavix that he is having this reaction to because he was off the Aspirin for several months (at least 3 months) in 2014. During this time he still experienced the intense itching side effect while taking just the Plavix. The reason he was off the Aspirin was accidental due to some sort of mix-up at the VA (Veterans Administration) and they stop supplying his Aspirin. You see he does not take anything other than what is directly prescribed by his physician and all medications are sent directly to him by mail (90 day supply) from the VA. During this time he suffered his 3rd stroke. After which his doctor made it clear that he was to take both Aspirin and Plavix. I felt responsible for his stroke because I knew he was not taking the Aspirin only the Plavix and I didn't follow-up enough with the VA to see why they were not sending him his Aspirin supply via mail. In any case I now make sure that my father takes his daily St. XXXXXXX low dose Aspirin (81mg enteric coated pill) and the Plavix (Clopidogrel Bisulfate 75mg tablet) without fail. As I stated in my first question he was directed by his physician to stop both meds for 10 days for an outpatient minor general surgery (removal of a skin lesion). His itching side effect improved greatly. Now that he's resumed his Aspirin and Plavix regime the side effect has returned. Is there anything (pill) he can take to relieve the itching side effect? I've read online about Ebastine? As I stated before my father has tried numerous prescription and non-prescription lotions and creams (even a steroid cream) and Claritin pills without success. Thanks.
Thank you for your response. I'm sure it's the Plavix that he is having this reaction to because he was off the Aspirin for several months (at least 3 months) in 2014. During this time he still experienced the intense itching side effect while taking just the Plavix. The reason he was off the Aspirin was accidental due to some sort of mix-up at the VA (Veterans Administration) and they stop supplying his Aspirin. You see he does not take anything other than what is directly prescribed by his physician and all medications are sent directly to him by mail (90 day supply) from the VA. During this time he suffered his 3rd stroke. After which his doctor made it clear that he was to take both Aspirin and Plavix. I felt responsible for his stroke because I knew he was not taking the Aspirin only the Plavix and I didn't follow-up enough with the VA to see why they were not sending him his Aspirin supply via mail. In any case I now make sure that my father takes his daily St. XXXXXXX low dose Aspirin (81mg enteric coated pill) and the Plavix (Clopidogrel Bisulfate 75mg tablet) without fail. As I stated in my first question he was directed by his physician to stop both meds for 10 days for an outpatient minor general surgery (removal of a skin lesion). His itching side effect improved greatly. Now that he's resumed his Aspirin and Plavix regime the side effect has returned. Is there anything (pill) he can take to relieve the itching side effect? I've read online about Ebastine? As I stated before my father has tried numerous prescription and non-prescription lotions and creams (even a steroid cream) and Claritin pills without success. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Can try Brilinta.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for the information.
Well for the relief of Itching he can take Tab Atarax , even Ebastine will help but my first recommendation is Atarax.
Now coming to the core issue , Aspirin of 81mg is still a low dose . The dose can be escalated to 325mg and discontinue the use of Plavix. The will give the same effect as of taking 81mg of Aspirin and 75mg of Plavix. You can try this option.
The other option is to use Brilinta along with Aspirin.
Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards.
Can try Brilinta.
Detailed Answer:
HI
Thanks for the information.
Well for the relief of Itching he can take Tab Atarax , even Ebastine will help but my first recommendation is Atarax.
Now coming to the core issue , Aspirin of 81mg is still a low dose . The dose can be escalated to 325mg and discontinue the use of Plavix. The will give the same effect as of taking 81mg of Aspirin and 75mg of Plavix. You can try this option.
The other option is to use Brilinta along with Aspirin.
Hope this information was useful to you.
Any clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
