FOCUS ON CLOPIDOGREL - AN ANTIPLATELET AGENT SIMILAR TO TICLOPIDINE WITHOUT SERIOUS HEMATOLOGIC EFFECTS

Clopidogrel bisulfate, an antiplatelet agent structurally related to t iclopidine HCl, is indicated for the reduction of atherosclerotic even ts (myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, vascular death) in patients wi th atherosclerosis documented by recent stroke, recent MI, or establis hed peripheral arterial disease, In the large, well-controlled CAPRIE trial clopidogrel (75 mg orally once daily) appeared to be slightly mo re effective than aspirin (325 mg once daily) for prevention of thromb otic events (stroke, MI, vascular death) in patients with atherosclero sis, In the CAPRIE population, which excluded aspirin-sensitive patien ts, incidences of rash and diarrhea were higher with clopidogrel than with aspirin, while Incidences of upper gastrointestinal (GI) upset an d GI hemorrhage were lower, Unlike ticlopidine, clopidogrel does not i nduce hematologic side effects, including neutropenia. Given its favor able efficacy and safety profiles, clopidogrel is an important additio n to antiplatelet therapy.