AboutNigel Simmons Expertise I am happy to answer general questions on medicines and hospital care. If possible, please use approved / chemical names rather than brands which are not internationally recognised.
Like all health professionals I am bound by a duty of care which prevents me giving detailed information about medication or treatment of people other than the questioner.
I will endeavour to help wherever possible or point towards more appropriate advice. If however your question crosses too far into patient confidentiality, I hope you will understand why I cannot answer your question.
Consider.. would you want me to discuss your care with a friend or relative without your knowledge?
Experience Registered as a UK pharmacist in 1982 and have worked in a number of hospital and health management posts around the UK. Formerly Chief Pharmacist for a 440 bed general hospital in Cambridgeshire.
Past/Present clients Previously Sysop on CompuServe UK Professionals forum.
Question ticlopidine 250mg and pentoxifylline 400mg..I was recently given the above drug names as replacements for pletal 100mg...I have been on pletal for two weeks and it has made a huge difference in my peripheral artery disease in my legs...However, because of the high price, I am looking for an alternative drug...Do you think the above drugs would have the same positive effect?
Answer Margaret
Detailed information on the three products you refer to are available at:
Ticopidine is not available in the UK, so I have no experience of its use.
The three drugs act by different mechanisms, so it is not easy to say which will be the best alternative. Pletal is believed to dilate the peripheral blood vessels, thereby improving flow. Pentoxifylline works by making red blood cells more flexible, so they pass through fine blood vessels without clogging and Ticlopidine acts more directly to prevent red cells sticking together.
It is therefore possible that one product may be more effective than the others for your particular problem. If you can do so, I would discuss the alternative options with your doctor and see which they recommend. If this is not possible, I would suggest that you consider the interactions of each product with any other medication you take, their suitability with other medical problems you may have and the incidence of side effects & their significance to your lifestyle.
