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Plavix is an antiplatelet drug that is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks by inhibiting blood clots in people with coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease.  Plavix may also be used to prevent blood clots in people with mitral valve disease, prosthetic heart valves, and people who are undergoing certain heart procedures, such as placement of a coronary artery stent.

Side effects include hemorrhage; neutropenia, an abnormally low number of white blood cells; and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a blood coagulation disorder which results in the formation of blood vessels throughout the body.  Other side effects include excessive fatigue, headache, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, blisters, rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, unusual bleeding, loss of vision, confusion, numbness of arms or legs, and fever.

A 2005 study published by the New England Journal of Medicine linked Plavix to more serious side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, internal hemorrhaging, strokes and heart attacks.  The study found that patients taking Plavix were twelve times more likely to develop severe gastrointestinal bleeding and chronic ulcers than patients who were taking aspirin and heartburn medication.