Clopidogrelï¼›Plavixï¼›Iscoverï¼›Clopidogrel bisulfateï¼›clopidogrel napadisilateï¼›clopidogrel, (+)(S)-isomerï¼›Pcr 4099ï¼›PCR-4099ï¼›SC 25989Cï¼›SC 25990Cï¼›SR-25990C;

CLOPIDOGREL BISULPHATE; CLOPIDOGREL HYDROGEN SULPHATE; CLOPIDOGREL SULPHATE;

Methyl (+)-(S)-a-(2-Chlorophenyl)-6,7-dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine-5(4H)acetate, Hydrogen sulfate salt; Clopidogrel Hydrogen Sulfate; Clopidogrel sulfate

C₁₆H₁₆ClNO₂

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Clopidogrel bisulfate is an anti-platelet drug, that is, a drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood clot. Clopidogrel prevents blood clots by irreversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets. It belongs to a class of drugs called P2Y12 inhibitors. Other drugs in this class include ticagrelor (Brilinta) and prasugrel (Effient). Clopidogrel is similar to ticlopidine (Ticlid) in chemical structure and in the way it works. Unlike ticlopidine, clopidogrel bisulfate does not cause serious reductions of white cells in the blood and, therefore, routine blood testing to determine if the white blood cell count is low is not necessary during treatment. The risk of heart attacks and strokes (which usually are caused by blood clots) is increased in patients with a recent history of stroke or heart attack, and patients with peripheral vascular disease. (Peripheral vascular disease is the same as atherosclerotic arterial disease or "hardening" of the arteries in which the arteries become narrowed. It frequently occurs in the legs and often causes claudication or pain in the legs upon walking.) Clopidogrel bisulfate is used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in these patients. Clopidogrel bisulfate was approved by the FDA in 1997.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Clopidogrel is used for preventing strokes, heart attacks, and death in individuals who have had a previous stroke, unstable angina, heart attack or have peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The combination of clopidogrel and aspirin is better than aspirin or clopidogrel alone in preventing another heart attack but the risk of bleeding is higher.