Clopidogrel

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Date: June 2026, Version 1.0

Quick read

Clopidogrel can be used in pregnancy if prescribed by a doctor.

What is it?

Clopidogrel (Plavix®) is an antiplatelet medicine used to prevent blood clots. It is used for conditions affecting the heart and blood circulation, including stroke, mini stroke (transient ischaemic attack), and heart attack.

Benefits

What are the benefits of using clopidogrel in pregnancy?

Clopidogrel can prevent life-threatening blood clots.

Risks

What are the risks of using clopidogrel in pregnancy?

There is only a small amount of information on the use of clopidogrel in pregnancy. The available evidence does not suggest that it can harm your baby, but more research is needed to be certain.

Taking clopidogrel at the end of pregnancy may increase the chance of heavy bleeding during childbirth (postpartum haemorrhage). Your doctor may recommend that your baby is delivered in hospital so that you can be closely monitored and treated if needed.

Clopidogrel will only be recommended in pregnancy if the benefits of treating a potentially serious condition outweigh any possible risks of using the medication.

Alternatives

Are there any alternatives to taking clopidogrel in pregnancy?

Possibly. Many women who take clopidogrel can be switched to a different medicine (low-molecular-weight heparin), which is known to be safe to use during pregnancy.

However, some women may need to continue clopidogrel during pregnancy to ensure good control of their medical condition.

If you are taking clopidogrel and planning a pregnancy, you should arrange an appointment with your doctor or specialist so they can review your medication. Do not stop or make changes to your medicines unless advised by your doctor.

No treatment

What if I prefer not to take medicines in pregnancy?

It is important to continue taking medicines to prevent blood clots, as these can be serious. Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to discuss any concerns so that you can make an informed decision.

Will I or my baby need extra monitoring?

As part of routine antenatal care, you will be offered a detailed ultrasound scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check your baby’s development.

If you have a health condition that affects your heart or circulation, you may be offered extra monitoring during pregnancy to make sure that you remain well throughout and that your baby is growing as expected.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken clopidogrel?

We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes clopidogrel.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.