Aspirin and Antiplatelets for Coronary Artery Disease
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| aspirin | Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin |
| clopidogrel | Plavix |
| prasugrel | Effient |
| ticagrelor | Brilinta |
How It Works
Antiplatelet medicines, including aspirin, prevent blood clots from forming in your arteries. This can prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Why It Is Used
Antiplatelet medicines help lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Antiplatelets may be used by people who:footnote 1
- Have coronary artery disease.
- Had a heart attack.
- Had
angioplasty or bypass surgery. - Had a
stroke or
transient ischemic attack (TIA). - Have peripheral arterial disease.
How Well It Works
Aspirin can help lower your chance of having a
heart attack. It also reduces the chance of a
stroke or a mini-stroke (TIA or transient ischemic attack).footnote 2
Antiplatelet medicine also helps lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people who have
heart disease or had angioplasty with a stent. This medicine lowers the risk that blood will
clot in the stent and cause a heart attack.footnote 3
For some people, clopidogrel does not work as well as it should, because their bodies may not break down the drug properly. Your doctor may do tests, such as a platelet test, to check on your blood clotting to make sure clopidogrel is working for you.footnote 3
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don’t feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Allergic reaction
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor if you have:
- Hives.
Bleeding
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches. (It may be a sign of bleeding in the brain.)
Call your doctor now or seek
immediate medical care if you have:
- Any abnormal bleeding, such as:
- Nosebleeds.
- Vaginal bleeding that is different (heavier, more frequent, at a different time of the month) than what you are used to.
- Bloody or black stools, or rectal bleeding.
- Bloody or pink urine.
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Stomach pain or discomfort.
- Nausea.
See Drug Reference
for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all
systems.)
What To Think About
Taking blood thinners safely
Antiplatelet medicine increases the risk of bleeding. This risk of bleeding is higher in some people.
Do not stop taking your
medicine without talking to your doctor. Make sure you take this medicine,
especially if you have a stent. Antiplatelet medicine lowers the risk that
blood will clot in the stent and cause a heart attack.
Before any surgery or medical or dental procedure, be sure your doctor or dentist knows that you take an antiplatelet. You might need to stop taking your medicine for a short time beforehand.
Be sure your doctors know all of the medicines that you take. This includes prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies.
For other tips on taking this medicine safely, see:
If you
have a high risk of bleeding from taking an antiplatelet, your doctor may
suggest you take a
proton pump inhibitor or a histamine H2 acid reducer. This medicine may help prevent
bleeding in your stomach. If you are taking both aspirin and
an antiplatelet, talk with your doctor about how you can lower your risk of
bleeding.
Testing for clopidogrel
Your doctor may do tests, such as a platelet test, to check on your blood clotting to make sure clopidogrel is working for you.footnote 3
A genetic test might be used to see if you have genes that let your body use clopidogrel. But experts aren’t yet sure whether genetic changes keep clopidogrel from preventing a heart attack or stroke.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don’t take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
For information about taking daily aspirin, see the topic Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments. And call your doctor if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) ( What is a PDF document? ) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Smith SC, et al. (2011). AHA/ACCF secondary prevention and risk reduction therapy for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2011 update: A guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation. Circulation, 124(22): 2458–2473. Also available online: ://circ.ahajournals.org/content/124/22/2458.full.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2009). Aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Available online: ://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsasmi.htm.
- Levine GN, et al. (2011). 2011 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for percutaneous coronary intervention: A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. Circulation, 124(23): e574–e651.
Current as of:
October 5, 2017
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC – Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine