[Clopidogrel: background information and use in clinical practice]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2003 Apr 28;165(18):1859-63.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Acute manifestations of atherosclerosis, e.g. myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke, are among the most common causes of death in the western part of the world. Rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque results in activation, adhesion and aggregation of platelets. Antithrombotic treatment has shown to reduce mortality and morbidity and is used in both primary and secondary prevention. The thienopyridine Clopidogrel specifically and irreversibly inhibits the binding of ADP to platelet surface ADP-receptors, thereby inhibiting platelet activation and aggregation. In this publication the pharmacological background and clinical documentation for the use of Clopidogrel both as monotherapy and in combination with Acetylicsalisylic acid are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arteriosclerosis / complications
  • Arteriosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Clopidogrel
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / drug therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Myocardial Infarction / prevention & control
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Purinergic P2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / prevention & control
  • Thrombosis / complications
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Ticlopidine / administration & dosage*
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Purinergic P2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine
  • Aspirin