Clopidogrel and Proton-Pump Inhibitors

Risk for adverse cardiac events was elevated in patients taking both medications.

Prior biochemical studies have suggested that proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the inhibitory effect of clopidogrel on platelet aggregation. A recent FDA review raised concerns about this issue, but data were insufficient to make a specific recommendation. In this study, a Veterans Affairs database was used to retrospectively assess this interaction clinically in 8205 patients discharged with acute coronary syndromes (ACS); 5244 (64%) were taking both clopidogrel and a PPI, and the rest were taking clopidogrel alone. Medication use was assessed by pharmacy prescription data.

At a mean follow-up of roughly 18 months, death or rehospitalization for ACS had occurred in 1561 patients (30%) taking both medications and 615 (21%) of patients ta…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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