Other antiplatelet medications for heart attack and unstable angina

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
clopidogrel	Plavix

How It Works

These drugs work in various ways to prevent the formation of blood clots.

Why It Is Used

Antiplatelet medications are used for people with unstable angina or a heart attack and people with angina who have angioplasty.

You may take an antiplatelet if you cannot take ASA

Or, you may take antiplatelets along with ASA.

If you had angioplasty and got a stent, you will take antiplatelet medicines to help prevent another heart attack or a stroke. You will probably take ASA plus another antiplatelet such as clopidogrel (Plavix). if you get a drug-eluting stent, you will probably take both of these medicines for at least one year. If you get a bare metal stent, you will take both medicines for at least one month but maybe up to one year. Then, you will likely take daily ASA long-term. If you have a high risk of bleeding, your doctor may shorten the time you take these medicines.

How Well It Works

Antiplatelets may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke more effectively than ASA alone in people who have coronary artery disease. One study showed that taking ASA combined with clopidogrel (Plavix) for unstable angina or heart attack reduced the risk of death, another heart attack, or stroke by 20% ¹

Side Effects

Some side effects of these antiplatelet drugs may include:

• Increased bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain or other internal organs.
• Bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
• Increased bruising.
• Stomach irritation.
• Allergic reaction.
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), and low red cell count (anemia).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

All antiplatelet medicines increase the risk of bleeding.

The use of antiplatelet medicines varies from province to province.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: February 26, 2008
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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