Prasugrel

Patients who have had a heart attack or have undergone angioplasty because of severe chest pain related to their heart may be prescribed prasugrel in addition to being told to take aspirin on a daily basis. This medication helps prevent blood clots from forming so that patients are less likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can cause excessive bleeding. If you have a condition that causes bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or polyps in your colon, you should not take this medication until that issue has been resolved. You also should not take this medication if you are having surgery within the next seven days, as prasugrel increases the risk of a serious or fatal bleeding problem while you are in surgery. Patients over the age of 75 and those who weigh less than 132 pounds cannot take this medication because they are at higher risk of a fatal complication.