Type of medicine: antiplatelet
Generic and brand names: prasugrel, oral; Effient
This medicine is taken by mouth to prevent blood clots, especially in people who have had heart attacks, severe chest pain, or who have had angioplasty. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you have recently had a head injury or any kind of surgery.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. This is a strong medicine that can cause serious side effects or bleeding if you take too much.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Take this medicine with a glass of water.
Do not stop taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves. Take it regularly each day.
You should also take aspirin while taking this medicine. Talk with your provider about this.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: vomiting, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, enlarged pupils, trouble walking, blood in vomit or stools.
While taking this medicine, you may bleed more easily or it may take longer for you to stop bleeding. Avoid activities where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Report any unusual bruising or bleeding to your healthcare provider right away.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. You will need to stop taking it 7 days before you have dental or general surgery.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. It is very important to keep these appointments.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness, weakness, or paleness; red or purple spots on skin; bloody diarrhea; black, tarry stools; blood in vomit or urine; sudden severe headache; confusion or loss of feeling; fever and chills; light-colored bowel movements; dark urine; yellowish skin or eyes; fast or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; severe stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; unexplained fever; seizure.
Other: Headache, dizziness, mild nausea, mild diarrhea, back pain, cough.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
