Plavix is also known by the generic name Clopidogrel


USES:
Clopidogrel is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in persons with heart disease (recent heart attack), recent stroke, or blood circulation disease (peripheral vascular disease).

It is also used with aspirin to treat new/worsening chest pain (new heart attack, unstable angina) and to keep blood vessels open and prevent blood clots after certain procedures (such as cardiac stent, coronary artery bypass graft-CABG, balloon angioplasty).

It works by blocking certain blood cells called platelets and prevents them from forming harmful blood clots. This "anti-platelet" effect helps keep blood flowing smoothly in your body.

USES:
Niacin is used in addition to a proper diet and exercise to help control levels of fats in the blood. It can help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (e.g., LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL). In general, this drug is used after your blood fat levels have not been fully controlled by other treatment (e.g., diet changes, exercise, decreasing alcohol intake, stopping smoking, weight loss if overweight, and controlling blood sugar if diabetic). It may be used with or without other medications.

Lowering "bad" cholesterol/triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol may help decrease the risk for strokes and heart attacks. Lowering fats may also help reduce the risk of pancreas problems (pancreatitis) in people at risk. Niacin is also known as vitamin B-3 (nicotinic acid), one of the B-complex vitamins.