Comprehensive medication guide to Plavix including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for generic clopidogrel on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans; typically Tier 1 or Tier 2 coverage. Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) may reduce cost to near zero for qualifying patients.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$80–$120 retail for generic clopidogrel 75 mg (30 tablets) without a coupon; as low as $4–$10 with GoodRx, SingleCare, or Walmart's $4 generic program for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
92/100
On this page
Plavix is the brand name for clopidogrel bisulfate, an antiplatelet medication first approved by the FDA in 1997. Manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, it is used to prevent dangerous blood clots in patients with cardiovascular disease. Generic clopidogrel became available in 2012 and is now one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States.
Clopidogrel belongs to the thienopyridine class of P2Y12 platelet inhibitors. It is FDA-approved for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (heart attack or unstable angina), those who have undergone coronary stent placement, patients with a recent ischemic stroke or TIA, and patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Clopidogrel comes in two tablet strengths: a 75 mg tablet for daily maintenance therapy, and a 300 mg tablet used as a loading dose in acute or peri-procedural settings. Most patients are on the 75 mg once-daily maintenance dose for long-term secondary prevention.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Clopidogrel is a prodrug — it has no antiplatelet activity until your liver converts it into an active metabolite via the CYP2C19 enzyme (with contributions from CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A). This active metabolite then irreversibly binds to the P2Y12 ADP receptor on platelets, blocking the signal that causes platelets to clump together and form clots.
Because the binding is irreversible, the affected platelet remains disabled for its entire lifespan — approximately 7 to 10 days. Daily dosing with 75 mg gradually inhibits a larger fraction of circulating platelets. At steady state (reached between Day 3 and Day 7), clopidogrel achieves approximately 40-60% inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation.
Patients who carry loss-of-function alleles in the CYP2C19 gene (poor metabolizers) may have significantly reduced activation of clopidogrel and diminished antiplatelet response. The FDA added a boxed warning about this genetic interaction in 2010. CYP2C19 genotyping is available to identify these patients, who may be switched to ticagrelor or prasugrel.
75 mg — tablet
Standard once-daily maintenance dose for secondary prevention of MI, stroke, and PAD. Can be taken with or without food.
300 mg — tablet
Loading dose used in acute coronary syndrome and before/during PCI procedures to achieve rapid platelet inhibition. Sometimes 600 mg (two tablets) used for faster loading.
Generic clopidogrel 75 mg is one of the most widely available generic medications in the country. As of 2026, clopidogrel is not on the FDA's drug shortage list and is stocked at virtually all major pharmacy chains including Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, and Kroger. Patients on the standard 75 mg maintenance dose should almost never have trouble filling their prescription.
The 300 mg loading dose tablet is less commonly stocked at community pharmacies and may require a special order or a visit to a hospital-affiliated pharmacy. If you are having difficulty locating any strength of clopidogrel, the fastest path is to use a pharmacy search service.
medfinder — medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have clopidogrel in stock, then texts you results. This saves you from calling multiple pharmacies and is especially helpful if you need the 300 mg tablet or live in an area with limited pharmacy options.
Clopidogrel is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. Any licensed prescriber with prescriptive authority can order it. The following healthcare providers commonly prescribe clopidogrel:
Telehealth options are available for prescription renewals. If you are already established on clopidogrel, many telehealth platforms can manage refills after a brief virtual visit. New prescriptions for acute cardiac events typically require in-person evaluation. Teladoc, MDLive, and most insurance plan virtual care programs can help with ongoing management.
No. Clopidogrel (Plavix) is not a controlled substance. It has no DEA schedule designation and is not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. Any licensed prescriber — including primary care physicians, cardiologists, neurologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe clopidogrel without special DEA registration requirements.
Because it is not a controlled substance, clopidogrel prescriptions can be refilled multiple times, transmitted electronically to any pharmacy, and transferred between pharmacies. Prescriptions can also be written for 90-day supplies, which is often the most cost-effective and convenient option for patients on long-term therapy.
The most common side effects of clopidogrel relate to its mechanism — reduced platelet activity means increased bleeding tendency:
Serious side effects requiring immediate emergency care:
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
More potent, reversible P2Y12 inhibitor; no CYP2C19 dependency; effective for poor metabolizers; twice-daily dosing; higher bleeding risk; generic available since 2024 (~$30-80/month).
Prasugrel (Effient)
More potent irreversible P2Y12 inhibitor; once-daily dosing; faster, more consistent platelet inhibition; higher bleeding risk; contraindicated with prior stroke/TIA; generic available.
Aspirin/Dipyridamole (Aggrenox)
Combination antiplatelet used for secondary stroke prevention only; different mechanism; twice-daily dosing; not preferred for coronary artery disease or stent protection.
Aspirin (81 mg)
OTC antiplatelet; less potent than P2Y12 inhibitors; used for long-term secondary prevention alone or as add-on therapy; very low cost; does not require prescription.
Prefer Plavix? We can find it.
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
majorPotent CYP2C19 inhibitor that significantly reduces clopidogrel's active metabolite. FDA recommends avoiding this combination. Use pantoprazole or dexlansoprazole instead.
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
majorPotent CYP2C19 inhibitor with the same interaction as omeprazole. FDA specifically recommends against co-administration with clopidogrel.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
majorIncrease risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when combined with clopidogrel. Avoid long-term NSAID use. Use acetaminophen for pain relief instead.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
majorSignificantly increases bleeding risk when combined with clopidogrel. Combination sometimes medically necessary (e.g., post-stent with atrial fibrillation) but requires careful monitoring.
Repaglinide (Prandin)
majorClopidogrel's metabolite strongly inhibits CYP2C8, increasing repaglinide exposure 3.9-5.1x. Avoid concurrent use. Risk of severe hypoglycemia.
SSRIs / SNRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine, venlafaxine)
moderateImpair platelet function through different mechanism. Combined with clopidogrel, increases risk of GI bleeding. Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Morphine / opioids
moderateDelay gastric emptying, reducing clopidogrel absorption and peak concentration by ~34%. May reduce antiplatelet efficacy in acute settings. Consider parenteral antiplatelet agent if rapid inhibition needed.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a cornerstone antiplatelet medication that has prevented millions of heart attacks, strokes, and stent thromboses over the past three decades. As a widely available generic in 2026, it is also one of the most affordable critical cardiovascular medications — available for as little as $4 per month with the right discount program. The key is knowing how to access those programs.
For patients who have had a coronary stent, the most important message is this: never stop clopidogrel without your cardiologist's guidance. Even brief interruptions can be life-threatening. If cost or availability is ever a barrier, reach out to your prescriber immediately — options almost always exist.
If you ever have trouble finding clopidogrel at your pharmacy, medfinder can call nearby pharmacies on your behalf and text you results — so you can find your medication quickly without hours on the phone. medfinder covers all medications, not just shortage drugs.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Plavix. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini