Ticlopidine patient counseling information
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Zaghw, M.D. [2]
Information for the Patient
Patients should be told that a decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia) or platelets (thrombocytopenia) can occur with ticlopidine, especially during the first 3 months of treatment and that neutropenia, if it is severe, can result in an increased risk of infection. They should be told it is critically important to obtain the scheduled blood tests to detect neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Patients should also be reminded to contact their physicians if they experience any indication of infection such as fever, chills, or sore throat, any of which might be a consequence of neutropenia.
Thrombocytopenia may be part of a syndrome called TTP. Symptoms and signs of TTP, such as fever, weakness, difficulty speaking, [[seizures, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark or bloody urine, pallor or petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhagic spots on the skin), should be reported immediately.
All patients should be told that it may take them longer than usual to stop bleeding when they take Ticlopidine Tablets and that they should report any unusual bleeding to their physician. Patients should tell physicians and dentists that they are taking Ticlopidine Tablets before any surgery is scheduled and before any new drug is prescribed.
Patients should be told to promptly report side effects of Ticlopidine Tablets such as severe or persistent diarrhea, skin rashes or subcutaneous bleeding or any signs of cholestasis, such as yellow skin or sclera, dark urine, or light-colored stools.
Patients should be told to take Ticlopidine Tablets with food or just after eating in order to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort.[1]
References
Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.