Aa. Weber et al., Recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of clopidogrel treatment in healthy volunteers, BR J CL PH, 52(3), 2001, pp. 333-336
Aims To study the recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of cl
opidogrel treatment in healthy volunteers.
Methods Ten healthy volunteers were treated with clopidogrel (75 mg day(-1)
) for 7 days. CD62P expression and PAC-1 binding were measured by flow cyto
metry.
Results Adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 30 muM)-induced platelet responses were
almost completely inhibited by clopidogrel. After discontinuation of the d
rug, platelet function gradually increased and complete recovery was seen 7
days after the last clopidogrel dose. The mean difference (95% CI) for ADP
-induced PAC-1 binding (fluorescence intensity) between baseline and 7 days
after the last dose was 0.01 (0.61, -0.59). Single cell analysis provides
direct evidence for an irreversible mode of action of clopidogrel.
Conclusions This is the first report to directly demonstrate irreversibilit
y of clopidogrel action in humans.