US health officials Friday ordered the makers of the Plavix to add a boxed warning to its packets saying the drug may be less effective in preventing heart attacks in people who cannot metabolize it properly. The new boxed warning ordered by the Food and Drug Administration is a further step up from just mentioning the drawback on the label which has been required since May 2009. A spokeswoman for New York-based Bristol-Myers said the company would add the new labeling to bottles of Plavix over the next two months. (See part one of my article for other Plavix issues)

Alternatives
In addition to a return to aspirin (enteric coated is better) there are s number of natural substances have been shown to have anticoagulant activity. These include grape seed extract (Red Wine), feverfew (natural aspirin) garlic, fish oil, vitamin E, ginger, ginkgo dong quai and others. There are no U.S. studies that have compared their effectiveness to pharmaceutical blood thinners, and there's no available information on the dosages required to reproduce the effects of Coumadin or Plavix.

In the mean time
Doctors and patients have some choices to make. In the mean time, use common sense. Measures such as exercising regularly while increasing vegetables and fruits while limiting fat and salt may help. Stop smoking, maintain a health weight and keep your blood pressure controlled. Educate yourself through a support group or take classes.

Local Support Groups and classes in Pinellas County, Florida

Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Support Group
4pm, Second Friday of each Month, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital.
Call 727-595-3800

Stroke Support Group
3pm, 4th Wednesday of each month, Bayfront Medical Center
Call 727-893-6912

Beginning My Challenge, stroke support group
5pm, 2nd Thursday of each month
Piccadilly Cafeteria, 1900 34th St N, St. Petersburg.
Call 727-527-2092

The Tampa Bay Heart Institute offers a variety of classes to help you on your way to better heart health. Unless otherwise stated all classes are free, but registration is encouraged. Call 1-877-4-HCA-DOCS to register.
http://www.tampabayheart.com/CommCal.asp