Anti-platelets, clopidogrel

Clopidogrel (brand name Plavix) is an antiplatelet medicine, which means it reduces the risk of clots forming in your blood.

Clopidogrel may be given to you if you have had:

• a heart attack
• a stroke
• acute coronary syndrome (minor heart attack or unstable angina)
• a coronary stent (a device to open up a blocked artery to the heart)

Clopidogrel may also be used instead of low-dose aspirin if you are allergic to aspirin and considered to be at risk of having a heart attack or stroke - for example, if you:

• have high cholesterol
• have high blood pressure
• have diabetes
• smoke

How it works

Antiplatelet medicines reduce the risk of clots forming in the blood. This reduces your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Normally, when there is a cut or break in a small blood vessel, a blood clot forms to plug the hole until the blood vessel heals.

Small cells in the blood called platelets make the blood clot. When a platelet detects a damaged area of a blood vessel, it produces a chemical that attracts other platelets and makes them stick together to form a blood clot.

Clopidogrel reduces the ability of the platelets to stick together and reduces the risk of clots forming.

Clopidogrel and low-dose aspirin

Sometimes, you may be given both low-dose aspirin and clopidogrel to take together for a period of treatment. Taken together, they are very effective - but there is a higher risk of bleeding, usually in the gut. This risk increases with age. They key question for your doctor is whether the benefits outweigh the extra risk.

This combination treatment should usually be for no longer than 9-12 months. After this, you should just take low-dose aspirin.