Matching articles for "clopidogrel"

Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 8, 2024;  (Issue 1693)
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the world. Risk factor modification, anticoagulation, rhythm control, and rate control are the four pillars of its management. American College of...
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the world. Risk factor modification, anticoagulation, rhythm control, and rate control are the four pillars of its management. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines on management of AF were updated recently.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2024 Jan 8;66(1693):1-8 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Apoaequorin (Prevagen) to Improve Memory

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 1, 2021;  (Issue 1636)
A synthetic form of the protein apoaequorin is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter dietary supplement Prevagen (Quincy Bioscience), which is heavily marketed to improve...
A synthetic form of the protein apoaequorin is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter dietary supplement Prevagen (Quincy Bioscience), which is heavily marketed to improve memory.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Nov 1;63(1636):175-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Addendum: Drug Interaction between Opioids and Oral P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitors

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 9, 2020;  (Issue 1593)
Opioids delay gastric emptying and the absorption of many oral drugs, including the P2Y12 inhibitors clopidogrel (Plavix, and generics), prasugrel (Effient, and generics), and ticagrelor (Brilinta), which...
Opioids delay gastric emptying and the absorption of many oral drugs, including the P2Y12 inhibitors clopidogrel (Plavix, and generics), prasugrel (Effient, and generics), and ticagrelor (Brilinta), which are commonly used for initial treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). An article in our February 25, 2019 issue reviewed studies showing that coadministration of opioids delayed and decreased absorption of oral P2Y12 inhibitors and increased platelet reactivity. Recently published clinical outcomes data may add to these concerns.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2020 Mar 9;62(1593):40 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drug Interaction: Opioids and Oral P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitors

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 25, 2019;  (Issue 1566)
The FDA has required manufacturers of the oral P2Y12 platelet inhibitors clopidogrel (Plavix, and generics), prasugrel (Effient, and generics), and ticagrelor (Brilinta) to warn in the product labels that...
The FDA has required manufacturers of the oral P2Y12 platelet inhibitors clopidogrel (Plavix, and generics), prasugrel (Effient, and generics), and ticagrelor (Brilinta) to warn in the product labels that the absorption of these drugs may be delayed or reduced when taken with an opioid agonist.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2019 Feb 25;61(1566):31-2 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drug Interaction: Clopidogrel and PPIs

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 27, 2017;  (Issue 1515)
The antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix, and others) reduces major cardiovascular events, but can cause bleeding. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often used with clopidogrel to prevent...
The antiplatelet drug clopidogrel (Plavix, and others) reduces major cardiovascular events, but can cause bleeding. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often used with clopidogrel to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, however, some evidence suggests that PPIs may interfere with the activation of clopidogrel and diminish its antiplatelet effect. FDA-approved labeling recommends avoiding concurrent use of the PPIs omeprazole and esomeprazole with clopidogrel.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2017 Feb 27;59(1515):39-40 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Cangrelor (Kengreal) - An IV Antiplatelet Drug for PCI

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 26, 2015;  (Issue 1480)
The FDA has approved cangrelor (Kengreal – The Medicines Company), an IV P2Y12 platelet inhibitor, as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who have not been pretreated with...
The FDA has approved cangrelor (Kengreal – The Medicines Company), an IV P2Y12 platelet inhibitor, as an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who have not been pretreated with a P2Y12 inhibitor and are not being given a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2015 Oct 26;57(1480):145-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Secondary Prevention of Stroke

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 8, 2014;  (Issue 1457)
Recent guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association reviewed antithrombotic therapy options for secondary prevention of stroke in patients who have had a stroke or...
Recent guidelines from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association reviewed antithrombotic therapy options for secondary prevention of stroke in patients who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Dec 8;56(1457):125-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Antithrombotic Drugs

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 27, 2014;  (Issue 1454)
Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis. Anticoagulants are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and...
Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis. Anticoagulants are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and for prevention of cardioembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Oct 27;56(1454):103-8 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Vorapaxar (Zontivity) for Prevention of Thrombotic Cardiovascular Events

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 15, 2014;  (Issue 1451)
The FDA has approved vorapaxar (Zontivity – Merck), an oral protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist, for use with aspirin and/or clopidogrel to reduce the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events...
The FDA has approved vorapaxar (Zontivity – Merck), an oral protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist, for use with aspirin and/or clopidogrel to reduce the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral arterial disease or a history of myocardial infarction (MI). It is the first PAR-1 antagonist to be approved by the FDA.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2014 Sep 15;56(1451):85-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease and GERD

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 1, 2014;  (Issue 140)
H2-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS (H2RAs) — Currently available H2RAs are listed in Table 1. These drugs inhibit the action of histamine at the H2-receptor of the gastric parietal cell, decreasing basal acid...
H2-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS (H2RAs) — Currently available H2RAs are listed in Table 1. These drugs inhibit the action of histamine at the H2-receptor of the gastric parietal cell, decreasing basal acid secretion and, to a lesser degree, food-stimulated acid secretion. All H2RAs are about equally effective for treatment of PUD and GERD. H2RAs are faster acting than PPIs in relieving symptoms of dyspepsia or GERD, but they are not as effective as PPIs in relieving symptoms or in healing erosive esophagitis. Repeated administration of H2RAs leads to pharmacologic tolerance and has been associated with the development of new dyspeptic symptoms. Rebound acid hypersecretion can occur after stopping H2RAs.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2014 Apr;12(140):25-30 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Choice of Drug-Eluting Stents

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 24, 2012;  (Issue 1406)
The use of intracoronary stents in angioplasty procedures has improved both short- and long-term success rates. In recent years, drug-eluting stents (DESs) have largely replaced bare-metal stents...
The use of intracoronary stents in angioplasty procedures has improved both short- and long-term success rates. In recent years, drug-eluting stents (DESs) have largely replaced bare-metal stents (BMSs).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2012 Dec 24;54(1406):102-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Antithrombotic Drugs

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • October 1, 2011;  (Issue 110)
Arterial thrombi are composed mainly of platelet aggregates held together by small amounts of fibrin. Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis, but...
Arterial thrombi are composed mainly of platelet aggregates held together by small amounts of fibrin. Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis, but anticoagulants are also effective, and their effects can add to those of antiplatelet drugs. Venous thrombi are composed mainly of fibrin and trapped red blood cells, with relatively few platelets. Anticoagulants are the agents of choice for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and for prevention of cardioembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2011 Oct;9(110):61-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Ticagrelor (Brilinta) - Better than Clopidogrel (Plavix)?

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 5, 2011;  (Issue 1372)
The FDA has approved ticagrelor (Brilinta – AstraZeneca), an oral antiplatelet drug, for use with low-dose aspirin to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary...
The FDA has approved ticagrelor (Brilinta – AstraZeneca), an oral antiplatelet drug, for use with low-dose aspirin to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It will compete with clopidogrel (Plavix) and prasugrel (Effient) for such use. Clopidogrel is expected to become available generically in the US within the next few months.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2011 Sep 5;53(1372):69-70 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease and GERD

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 1, 2011;  (Issue 109)
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is usually caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or by infection with Helicobacter pylori. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be caused by...
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is usually caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or by infection with Helicobacter pylori. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be caused by transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, reduced lower esophageal sphincter tone, hiatal hernia, delayed gastric emptying or hormonal changes due to pregnancy. Acid suppressive therapy is the cornerstone of management for both PUD and GERD.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2011 Sep;9(109):55-60 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

In Brief: Clopidogrel and Omeprazole

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • November 29, 2010;  (Issue 1352)
Use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to protect against gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients taking the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel (Plavix) may interfere with the activation of clopidogrel and...
Use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to protect against gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients taking the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel (Plavix) may interfere with the activation of clopidogrel and diminish its antiplatelet effect, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events.1 A randomized, placebo-controlled trial (COGENT) has found that use of the PPI omeprazole in patients taking clopidogrel in addition to aspirin decreased the incidence of GI bleeding without increasing the risk of a cardiovascular event, but the number of cardiovascular events was small and the formulation of omeprazole was atypical.2 The FDA in the same issue of the same journal cautioned against concluding from the results of COGENT that concurrent use of clopidogrel and omeprazole is safe.3

To some extent, all PPIs reduce the enzymatic activity of CYP2C19, which is thought to be mainly responsible for the bioactivation of clopidogrel. Omeprazole is a strong inhibitor of CYP2C19; pantoprazole (Protonix, and others) appears to have less effect on CYP2C19 and not to attenuate the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.4-6 Medical Letter consultants believe that patients at risk for upper GI bleeding who take clopidogrel should also take a PPI, but not omeprazole. Until more data become available on other PPIs, pantoprazole would be a reasonable choice.

1. PPI interactions with clopidogrel revisited. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2009; 51:13.

2. DL Bhatt et al. Clopidogrel with or without omeprazole in coronary artery disease. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:1909.

3. MR Southworth and R Temple. Interaction of clopidogrel and omeprazole. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:1977.

4. DJ Angiolillo et al. Differential effects of omeprazole and pantoprazole on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel in healthy subjects: randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover comparison studies. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2010; Sept 15 epub.

5. T Cuisset et al. Comparison of omeprazole and pantoprazole influence on a high 150-mg clopidogrel maintenance dose: the PACA (Proton Pump Inhibitors And Clopidogrel Association) prospective randomized study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009; 54:1149.

6. H Neubaurer et al. Pantoprazole does not influence the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel – a whole blood aggregometry study after coronary stenting. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2010; 56:91.

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Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2010 Nov 29;52(1352):93 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

In Brief: Poor Metabolizers of Clopidogrel (Plavix)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 3, 2010;  (Issue 1337)
The FDA has required the manufacturer of Plavix, an antiplatelet drug used in addition to aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events in high-risk patients,1 to add a boxed warning to the package insert about the...
The FDA has required the manufacturer of Plavix, an antiplatelet drug used in addition to aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events in high-risk patients,1 to add a boxed warning to the package insert about the risk of a poor response to the drug in patients with genetic polymorphisms of the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2C19. Clopidogrel is a prodrug and CYP2C19 is mainly responsible for its bioactivation. The Medical Letter reported last year that several studies have found higher rates of cardiovascular events, including stent thrombosis, in patients with these polymorphisms taking clopidogrel.2

At least one genetic polymorphism leading to poor metabolism of clopidogrel has been reported to occur in 15% of Caucasians, 17% of African Americans and 30% of Asians.3 Since many patients take clopidogrel to protect against life-threatening events, and some continue to do so for extended periods of time, it might be worthwhile to test for these polymorphisms. Such tests, requiring small amounts of blood or saliva, are commercially available from clinical laboratories. More directly, patients who are taking clopidogrel could have platelet aggregation assays to determine whether the drug is being activated.

However, the best course of action for patients who prove to be poor metabolizers of clopidogrel is not clear. They could be treated with higher doses of clopidogrel, but the doses that would be safe and effective in such patients have not been established. Alternatively, they could be treated with prasugrel (Effient), a similar antiplatelet drug that does not require CYP2C19 for activation, instead of clopidogrel, but prasugrel has a greater effect on platelets and may cause more bleeding.4

1. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. Treat Guidel Med Lett 2008; 6:29.
2. PPI interactions with clopidogrel revisited. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2009; 51:13.
3. Z Desta et al. Clinical significance of the cytochrome P450 2C19 genetic polymorphism. Clin Pharmacokinet 2002; 41:913.
4. Prasugrel (Effient) vs. clopidogrel (Plavix). Med Lett Drugs Ther 2009; 51:69.

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Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2010 May 3;52(1337):33 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Primary Prevention of Ulcers in Patients Taking Aspirin or NSAIDs

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 8, 2010;  (Issue 1333)
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common causes of peptic ulcer disease. Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori who take aspirin or another NSAID have an especially high...
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common causes of peptic ulcer disease. Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori who take aspirin or another NSAID have an especially high risk. Drugs that have been tried for prevention of ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs including H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), aluminum- or magnesium-containing antacids, the prostaglandin misoprostol (Cytotec, and others), and antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori.

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Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2010 Mar 8;52(1333):17-9 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Prasugrel (Effient) vs. Clopidogrel (Plavix)

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • September 7, 2009;  (Issue 1320)
The FDA has approved prasugrel (Effient - Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo), an oral antiplatelet drug, for use with aspirin to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes...
The FDA has approved prasugrel (Effient - Lilly/Daiichi Sankyo), an oral antiplatelet drug, for use with aspirin to reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) being managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It will compete with clopidogrel (Plavix) for such use.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Sep 7;51(1320):69-70 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

In Brief: Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 1, 2009;  (Issue 1313)
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by a factor of 5. A randomized controlled trial (ACTIVE W) in 6706 patients with atrial fibrillation and one or more additional risk factors (≥75 years old;...
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by a factor of 5. A randomized controlled trial (ACTIVE W) in 6706 patients with atrial fibrillation and one or more additional risk factors (≥75 years old; hypertension; previous stroke, transient ischemic attack or non- CNS embolus; left ventricular ejection fraction <45%; peripheral vascular disease; or 55-74 years old plus diabetes or coronary artery disease) found that a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin (Coumadin, and others) was superior to clopidogrel (Plavix) plus aspirin in preventing vascular events, especially ischemic stroke.1

Now another study (ACTIVE A) from the same group of investigators has compared addition of clopidogrel to aspirin with aspirin alone in 7554 patients with atrial fibrillation and one or more additional risk factors for stroke. All of these patients were considered “unsuitable” for treatment with a vitamin K antagonist. Vascular events, primarily stroke, occurred significantly more often with aspirin alone. Major bleeding occurred significantly more often with aspirin plus clopidogrel.2

Oral anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin continues to be the treatment of choice for patients with atrial fibrillation and one or more additional risk factors for stroke.3-5 In patients who cannot or will not take a vitamin K antagonist, clopidogrel plus aspirin appears to be more effective in preventing stroke than aspirin alone.

1. ACTIVE Writing Group of the ACTIVE Investigators. Clopidogrel plus aspirin versus oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in the Atrial fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for prevention of Vascular Events (ACTIVE W): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2006; 367:1903.

2. ACTIVE Investigators. Effect of clopidogrel added to aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2009; 360:2066.

3. Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. Treat Guidel Med Lett 2008; 6:29.

4. DE Singer et al. Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest 2008; 133 (6 suppl): 546S.

5. AS Go. The ACTIVE pursuit of stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2009; 360:2127.

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Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Jun 1;51(1313):41 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Dexlansoprazole (Kapidex) for GERD and Erosive Esophagitis

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • March 23, 2009;  (Issue 1308)
The FDA has approved the proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) dexlansoprazole (Kapidex - Takeda), a delayed release formulation of the R-enantiomer of lansoprazole (Prevacid - Takeda), for treating and maintaining...
The FDA has approved the proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) dexlansoprazole (Kapidex - Takeda), a delayed release formulation of the R-enantiomer of lansoprazole (Prevacid - Takeda), for treating and maintaining healing of erosive esophagitis and for treatment of heartburn associated with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Mar 23;51(1308):21-2 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

PPI Interactions with Clopidogrel Revisted

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 23, 2009;  (Issue 1306)
Current guidelines recommend use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients taking clopidogrel (Plavix) with aspirin. A recent issue of The Medical Letter...
Current guidelines recommend use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients taking clopidogrel (Plavix) with aspirin. A recent issue of The Medical Letter considered whether omeprazole (Prilosec, and others) or other PPIs could interfere with the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. The conclusion was that patients taking both drugs should probably continue to do so until more data became available. Several new publications require reconsideration of that recommendation.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Feb 23;51(1306):13-4 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

PPI Interactions with Clopidogrel

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • January 12, 2009;  (Issue 1303)
Clopidogrel (Plavix), which prevents arterial thrombosis by inhibiting platelet activation, is commonly prescribed (usually with aspirin) for months after acute coronary syndromes and stent implantation. It may...
Clopidogrel (Plavix), which prevents arterial thrombosis by inhibiting platelet activation, is commonly prescribed (usually with aspirin) for months after acute coronary syndromes and stent implantation. It may also, however, increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as omeprazole (Prilosec, and others) is often given concurrently to decrease the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Some reports have suggested that omeprazole may interfere with the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2009 Jan 12;51(1303):2-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Antiplatelet Therapy for Patients with Stents

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • August 11, 2008;  (Issue 1292)
The antiplatelet agents aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix, and others) are used in most patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent stent thrombosis and to reduce the occurrence of...
The antiplatelet agents aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix, and others) are used in most patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent stent thrombosis and to reduce the occurrence of peri-, post-procedural and late cardiovascular events. Despite a large number of randomized trials of these agents in such patients, the optimal dosage and duration of treatment with these drugs, and whether other drugs should be added, is unclear.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2008 Aug 11;50(1292):61-3 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Drugs

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 1, 2008;  (Issue 69)
Arterial and venous thrombosis are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Arterial thrombi consist of platelet aggregates held together by small amounts of fibrin. Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice...
Arterial and venous thrombosis are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Arterial thrombi consist of platelet aggregates held together by small amounts of fibrin. Antiplatelet drugs are the drugs of choice for prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis, but anticoagulants are also effective, and their effects can add to those of antiplatelet drugs. Venous thrombi are composed mainly of fibrin and trapped red blood cells, with relatively few platelets. Anticoagulants are the agents of choice for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and for prevention of cardioembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Treat Guidel Med Lett. 2008 May;6(69):29-36 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Clopidogrel (Plavix) Revisited

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • April 10, 2006;  (Issue 1232)
Clopidogrel (Plavix - Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb), an oral thienopyridine that inhibits platelet aggregation, is now being advertised directly to the public on television. Clopidogrel is approved...
Clopidogrel (Plavix - Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb), an oral thienopyridine that inhibits platelet aggregation, is now being advertised directly to the public on television. Clopidogrel is approved by the FDA for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and other vascular events and for use in patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina or non-ST-elevation MI), including those undergoing angioplasty. It is used off-label for patients with ST-elevation acute MI
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2006 Apr 10;48(1232):29-31 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • December 6, 2004;  (Issue 1197)
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement, predisposes to subsequent thrombosis. The current pharmacologic approach to prevention of this problem combines an...
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement, predisposes to subsequent thrombosis. The current pharmacologic approach to prevention of this problem combines an anticoagulant with one or more antiplatelet drugs.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2004 Dec 6;46(1197):100 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Drugs for Intermittent Claudication

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 16, 2004;  (Issue 1176)
Management of intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), involves both risk factor modification and symptomatic treatment (WR Hiatt, N Engl J Med 2001; 344:1608; RM...
Management of intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), involves both risk factor modification and symptomatic treatment (WR Hiatt, N Engl J Med 2001; 344:1608; RM Schainfeld, J Am Board Fam Pract 2001; 14:443).
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2004 Feb 16;46(1176):13-5 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Aggrenox: A Combination of Antiplatelet Drugs for Stroke Prevention

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • February 7, 2000;  (Issue 1071)
Aggrenox, a fixed-dose oral combination of aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole, is now being advertised for secondary prevention of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic...
Aggrenox, a fixed-dose oral combination of aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole, is now being advertised for secondary prevention of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2000 Feb 7;42(1071):11-2 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Cilostazol for Intermittent Claudication

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • May 7, 1999;  (Issue 1052)
Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor that has been used in Japan since 1988, has been approved by the FDA for treatment on intermittent claudication due to occlusive peripheral arterial...
Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor that has been used in Japan since 1988, has been approved by the FDA for treatment on intermittent claudication due to occlusive peripheral arterial disease.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 1999 May 7;41(1052):44-6 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction

Clopidogrel for Reduction of Atherosclerotic Events

   
The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics • June 5, 1998;  (Issue 1028)
Clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix - Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi), a new thienopyridine antiplatelet agent similar to ticlopidine (Ticlid - Medical Letter, 34:65, 1992), has been approved by the US Food and Drug...
Clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix - Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi), a new thienopyridine antiplatelet agent similar to ticlopidine (Ticlid - Medical Letter, 34:65, 1992), has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke and other vascular events.
Med Lett Drugs Ther. 1998 Jun 5;40(1028):59-60 | Show Full IntroductionHide Full Introduction