Clopidogrel
Clopidogrel is an anti-platelet drug, of the thienopyridine class, which is licensed for the secondary prophylaxis of atherosclerotic complications in patients with:
- ischaemic heart disease
- cerebrovascular disease
- peripheral vascular disease
The dose is 75 mg per day.
The principal side-effect is haemorrhage, including:
- gastrointestinal
- intracranial
There may be gastrointestinal upset.
Maximal inhibition of platelet aggregation is achieved after 4-7 days with clopidogrel 75 mg per day (1).
The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing this drug.
Reference:
- NICE. BNF drugs - Clopidogrel (online) 2025
Related pages
- Indications
- Side-effects
- CAPRIE trial
- CURE trial
- Ticlopidine
- Thienopyridines
- MATCH (Management of ATherothrombosis with Clopidogrel in High-risk patients) trial
- NICE guidance - clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole in the prevention of occlusive vascular events
- CHARISMA
- CLARITY - TIMI (clopidogrel as adjunctive reperfusion therapy - thrombolysis in myocardial infarction)
- Antiplatelet therapy
- COMMIT (Clopidogrel and Metoprolol in Myocardial Infarction Trial)
- ACTIVE W (clopidogrel plus aspirin versus anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation)
- Risk of bleeding with combination of aspirin and warfarin
- NICE guidance - antiplatelet therapy following myocardial infarction (MI)
- Interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors (PPI )
- Clopidogrel and CYP2C19 gene
Create an account to add page annotations
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page