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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Plavix Withdrawal Prior To Endoscopy And Colonoscopy Safe?

I am sechdule for a endoscopy and colonscopy on June 24,I have a-fib heart and on Plavix,metoprolol succinate,amlodipine besylate,nexium.I have been told to stop takeing the Plavix 10 days before the procedure.i asked how this would effect my risk of stroke,the answer is ,I should be allright.I do not like this answer,Is the same as I bought a lottery ticket,so I should win.MY oldest brother had a strok on the operating table at 51,my other brother has had a- fib sence he was born,so what are my risk,I am 69 years old now,I am dealing with the VA and no I do not trust them,
posted on Sat, 26 Apr 2014
Twitter Mon, 28 Nov 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 30 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
You are on Plavix because atrial fibrillation can lead to stagnation of blood in the atria and can lead to a clot being formed which can embolize to the brain to produce a stroke or to other organs producing harm.
The doctor would have asked you to stop it temporarily before an endoscopy because if you are on Plavix, it can produce bleeding from the biopsy sites and these can be difficult to stop and potentially dangerous.
Rest assured that stopping for 10 days is unlikely to lead to stroke.
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Is Plavix Withdrawal Prior To Endoscopy And Colonoscopy Safe?

Hello, Welcome and thanks for your query. You are on Plavix because atrial fibrillation can lead to stagnation of blood in the atria and can lead to a clot being formed which can embolize to the brain to produce a stroke or to other organs producing harm. The doctor would have asked you to stop it temporarily before an endoscopy because if you are on Plavix, it can produce bleeding from the biopsy sites and these can be difficult to stop and potentially dangerous. Rest assured that stopping for 10 days is unlikely to lead to stroke.