How long should a patient take Plavix after a myocardial infarction?

Answer 1

depends on the stent if its drug eluting (coated with stuff that works like Teflon) or if its a bare metal stent. bare metal stents usally require plavix for a year, drug eluting at least 3 months. but this is usually up to the cardiologist. and a lot of cardiologist prefer to keep to patients on plavix indefinitely as a precaution. But its expensive stuff and if u lost ur insurance or are in the medicare doughnut hole dont be afraid to ask your Dr if its time to to discontinue it.

Answer 2

This will depend on the circumstances. If you had bare metal stents placed, you were most likely told to continue taking plavix for 1 year. If you had drug eluting stents, you need to keep taking plavix for longer, sometimes permanently. If you were started on plavix because you are allergic to aspirin, you will most likely need to take plavix for the rest of your life.