Plavix generic: Availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Plavix?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Plavix?
• Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) warnings and side effects
• What is the price of generic Plavix?
• Brand vs. generic Plavix prices
• What are the off-label uses for Plavix?
• How to switch from Plavix to clopidogrel bisulfate

In this article

• Is there a generic for Plavix?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Plavix?
• Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) warnings and side effects
• What is the price of generic Plavix?
• Brand vs. generic Plavix prices
• What are the off-label uses for Plavix?
• How to switch from Plavix to clopidogrel bisulfate

Plavix is a brand-name prescription medication that keeps the platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming dangerous blood clots. It was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997 and is used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome or peripheral arterial disease. It is also used to prevent recurrent heart attack or stroke in people who have recently experienced either condition. That said, it’s not always an affordable medication. Without insurance, a prescription for Plavix can cost around $666 for 30, 75 mg tablets. To save money, many people wonder if they can switch to a generic form. Here’s what to know about generic Plavix, including its safety, effectiveness, and typical cost.

Is there a generic for Plavix?

Yes, the generic version of Plavix is clopidogrel bisulfate. In 2012, the FDA gave approval for several pharmaceutical companies to produce clopidogrel bisulfate in two different doses, 75 mg and 300 mg. Because it’s made by so many different manufacturers, generic clopidogrel bisulfate is more widely available than brand-name Plavix.

Dana Manning, Pharm.D., RD, LDN, associate professor of pharmacy practice at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, says generic medications like clopidogrel bisulfate are usually covered more readily by your insurance provider, too, and often at a lower cost. 

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Plavix?

In order to receive approval by the FDA, generic drugs have to perform just as well as brand-name drugs. Christopher Yi, MD, a vascular surgeon at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in California, says generic clopidogrel bisulfate is considered bioequivalent to brand-name Plavix, which means it delivers the same active ingredient in the same amount, and it should have the same clinical effect and safety profile when used as prescribed.

 The main difference between generic and brand-name drugs is usually cost: Generic drugs are often cheaper. But some generic drugs also have different inactive ingredients, like dyes and preservatives, that affect how they appear. These differences don’t change how the medication works, but it’s possible to have an allergic reaction or other negative response to them, limiting some people’s ability to use the generic.

Appearance

Brand-name Plavix and generic clopidogrel bisulfate look different based on their dosage and manufacturer. Pills may be white or pink, and either round or oval.  

Clinical Studies

Several clinical studies have compared the effectiveness of brand-name versus generic Plavix and found them both to provide benefits to people at risk of heart attack or stroke. One study measured the effectiveness after one year, and another measured it after two and a half years.  In both cases, generic clopidogrel bisulfate worked just as well—and safely—as the brand-name equivalent.

Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) warnings and side effects
	Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate)
Uses	Acute coronary syndrome Prevention of recurrent heart attack or stroke Peripheral arterial disease
Standard dosage	75 mg once per day; 300 mg loading dose for some indications
Common side effects	Excessive bleeding Bruising Nosebleed Headache Dizziness Skin rash Stomach pain Upset stomach
Contraindications	Do not use if you are allergic to clopidogrel bisulfate  Do not use if you have a condition that causes bleeding, like a stomach ulcer
Other considerations	This drug may interact with other medications, including: Proton pump inhibitors CYP2C19 inducers Opioids Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Blood thinners Some antidepressants Other antiplatelets Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver disease/injury, or will be having dental surgery

What is the price of generic Plavix?

Without insurance, brand-name Plavix costs around $641 for 30, 75 mg tablets. Generic clopidogrel bisulfate costs significantly less, at $186 for 30, 75 mg tablets. You can save money on either brand-name or generic Plavix with a SingleCare prescription discount card, paying as little as $4 for generic clopidogrel bisulfate or $249 for brand-name Plavix.

Most insurance companies cover generic clopidogrel bisulfate, as do most Medicaid and Medicare plans. Coverage varies, so be sure to check with your specific plan provider. Because the generic is so widely available and works as well as brand-name Plavix, it may be harder to get your insurer to cover the brand-name unless you have a legitimate medical reason.

Brand vs. generic Plavix prices
	Brand-name Plavix	Plavix generic (clopidogrel bisulfate)
Average cost without insurance*	$641 for 30, 75 mg tablets	$186 for 30, 75 mg tablets
SingleCare’s lowest price*	$249 for 30, 75 mg tablets	$4 for 30, 75 mg tablets
Free coupons	Plavix coupons	Clopidogrel bisulfate coupons

*Cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location. 

What are the off-label uses for Plavix? 

Dr. Yi says vascular surgeons commonly prescribe Plavix for off-label uses in addition to the prevention of heart attack and stroke, and that its use for these off-label treatments has been shown to be generally safe. 

Carotid artery disease

Carotid artery disease happens when plaque builds up inside your coronary arteries, reducing or blocking blood flow. It’s a major cause of stroke. Plavix can thin your blood, allowing it to continue flowing through the arteries, and reduce your risk for stroke.

Stent thrombosis prevention

Stent thrombosis is a complication of heart surgery, caused by clotting in a stent placed inside a coronary artery. Plavix—often in combination with aspirin—is often used to lower this risk by preventing the blood from clotting.

Stroke prevention in people with other cardiac conditions

Dr. Yi says people with other heart conditions, like atrial fibrillation, are often prescribed Plavix to help prevent stroke if they can’t take traditional anticoagulants, such as warfarin, or newer direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like Xarelto (rivaroxaban) or Eliquis (apixaban).

How to switch from Plavix to clopidogrel bisulfate

If you are thinking about switching from brand-name Plavix to generic clopidogrel bisulfate, the process is relatively easy. Dr. Manning says you don’t need to taper down from Plavix to clopidogrel bisulfate. Since they contain the same active ingredients and work the same for most people, you can simply switch between the two. 

Unless you have a history of allergic reaction to the inactive ingredients in generic medications, your pharmacist may even substitute generic Plavix for the brand-name when they fill your prescription, especially if your insurance offers better coverage for the generic. Of course, if your insurance requires brand-name Plavix or your healthcare provider specifically notes you should only receive the brand-name version, then your pharmacist will fill the prescription as written.

Although generic Plavix has been shown to be just as effective as brand-name Plavix, Dr. Yi says that it’s still important to monitor yourself in the first one to two weeks after switching for new side effects or signs that your medication isn’t working as well. Tell your provider if you have any concerns. When switching from brand-name to generic, it’s also important to maintain your current dosing schedule.

“There are no withdrawal effects of stopping Plavix, but stopping it abruptly can significantly increase the risk of blood clots, especially after stent placement and recent heart attack or stroke,” Dr. Yi says.

If you are currently on Plavix but think you may be able to save money by switching to clopidogrel bisulfate, talk to your healthcare provider. It’s relatively easy to change from the brand-name to the generic version of this medication.