Plavix (clopidogrel) is a brand-name prescription drug that’s used to help prevent cardiovascular events. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage, and more. Clopidogrel (Plavix®) is an antiplatelet drug you can take to prevent blood clots. It keeps platelets in your blood from coming together and making clots. Plavix prevents platelets in your blood from sticking together to form an unwanted blood clot that could block an artery. Plavix is used to lower your risk of having a stroke, blood clot, or serious heart problem after you've had a heart attack, severe chest pain (angina), or circulation problems. Find patient medical information for Clopidogrel (Plavix) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a prescription antiplatelet medication that helps lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. It works by stopping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots. Clopidogrel is used to lower your risk of having a stroke, blood clot, or serious heart problem after you've had a heart attack, severe chest pain (angina), or circulation problems. Clopidogrel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Plavix is used alone or with aspirin to lower your chance of having another serious problem with your heart or blood vessels such as heart attack, stroke, or blood clot that can lead to death. Platelets are blood cells that help your blood clot normally. Clopidogrel is used to prevent heart attack and stroke in people who are at high risk of these events, including those with a history of myocardial infarction and other forms of acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and those with peripheral artery disease. Clopidogrel is a platelet inhibitor. It reduces the chance that a harmful blood clot will form by preventing platelets from clumping together in the blood. Clopidogrel may also increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. What Is Plavix? Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is a thienopyridine class of drug that inhibits platelet aggregation and thus inhibits aspects of blood clotting used to treat patients with acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction (MI), peripheral vascular disease and some stroke (ischemic type) patients. Plavix is available in generic form.