Pletal is used to reduce the symptoms of intermittent claudication (pain in the legs that happens when walking and goes away with rest). Pletal helps people walk a longer distance before leg pain occurs.

Who should not take Pletal?

You must not take Pletal if you have congestive heart failure of any severity. Talk with your health care provider about whether you have this condition.

Special Warnings with Pletal:

• You must not take Pletal if you have congestive heart failure.
• It is not known if Pletal increases the risk of death in people without congestive heart failure. Initial studies were too small to be sure that there may not be some increased risk of death, or increased risk with long term use, or in patients with more severe conditions than people who took the drug in the testing of the product.

General Precautions with Pletal:

• Positive effects from Pletal may not be seen right away. Improvements can be seen from 2-4 weeks, or up to 12 weeks after starting Pletal.
• If you have not noticed any benefit from taking Pletal after 12 weeks, talk to your health care provider.
• While taking Pletal, avoid drinking grapefruit juice.

What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?

• Because certain other medications can interact with Pletal, review all medications that you are taking with your health care provider, including those that you take without a prescription.
• Tell your health care provider if you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of Pletal? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Pletal. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

The most commonly reported side effect in testing of the product was headache.

For more detailed information about Pletal, ask your health care provider.

Link to Pletal's label

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Posted: 03/09/99
Revised: 11/16/00