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Heart Health

Ask the doctor: Adding Plavix to Coumadin

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Warfarin (Coumadin) belongs to the class of drugs called anticoagulants, which slow blood clotting. Clopidogrel (Plavix) belongs to another class of drugs called antiplatelet agents, which slow blood clotting in a different way. Sometimes both types of drug are needed to prevent stroke, a benefit that outweighs the added bleeding risk from this dual therapy.

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