This medication is used to prevent strokes in people who cannot take aspirin or for whom aspirin has failed to work. It may also be used in combination with aspirin following certain types of heart procedures (such as coronary stent implant).

Ticlopidine works by blocking platelets from sticking together and prevents them from forming harmful clots. It is an antiplatelet drug. It helps keep blood flowing smoothly in your body.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking ticlopidine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with food or just after a meal as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily.

The length of treatment is based on your medical condition. If you are taking this medication to prevent clots after a stent implant, it is generally taken with aspirin for up to 30 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor for more details.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

See also Warning section.

Diarrhea, stomach upset/pain, nausea, and vomiting may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• diarrhea that is severe or doesn't stop
• bloody diarrhea
• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• black stools
• blood in the urine
• bleeding from gums or nose
• unusual weakness/tiredness
• easy bruising/bleeding
• mental/mood changes
• loss of appetite
• severe stomach/abdominal pain
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)

This medication may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar antiplatelet drugs (thienopyridines such as clopidogrel); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• current or past history of blood or immune disorders (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, neutropenia)
• serious/active bleeding (such as bleeding stomach ulcers)
• bleeding/blood clotting disorders
• liver disease
• kidney problems

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Your doctor may instruct you to stop ticlopidine for 10 to 14 days before surgery. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

This medication may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medication will increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how much alcohol you may safely drink.

Ticlopidine can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Tell your health care professional that you are using ticlopidine before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

While you are taking this medication, it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop if you have a cut or injury. To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

Older adults may be at greater risk for bleeding while using this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk, but it may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• antacids
• cimetidine
• fezolinetant
• mavacamten
• mifepristone
• other antiplatelet drugs (such as clopidogrel)

Other drugs like this medication that affect blood clotting may increase your risk of bleeding. Examples are "blood thinners" (anticoagulants such as enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin). Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and continue your medications as directed. Tell your doctor right away if you notice unusual bleeding. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

For certain conditions, you may be instructed by your doctor to take ticlopidine together with aspirin. Follow your doctor's instructions and continue aspirin as directed. If you are not currently taking aspirin, consult your doctor before starting it for any medical condition. Check the labels on all your medicines because they may contain aspirin or aspirin-like NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen) that can increase the risk of bleeding. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood counts, liver function) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).