PLAVIX vs. Aspirin:
Proven risk reduction head-to-head vs. aspirin 325 mg1
In recent myocardial infarction (MI), recent ischemic stroke, or established PAD patients, PLAVIX demonstrated greater risk reduction of MI, ischemic stroke, and vascular death
Prior studies have demonstrated that aspirin vs. placebo resulted in a 23% relative risk reduction2
CAPRIE*–19,185 recent MI, recent ischemic stroke, or
established PAD patients
* The CAPRIE (Clopidogrel versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischemic Events) Trial was a randomized, blinded clinical trial of 19,185 patients from 384 centers in 16 countries to assess the potential benefit of clopidogrel (75 mg) compared with aspirin (325 mg) in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or vascular death in patients with recent ischemic stroke, recent MI, or peripheral arterial disease (PAD).3
Benefits of PLAVIX were seen early and maintained up to 3 years3
- A randomized clinical trial to assess the potential benefit of PLAVIX 75 mg vs. aspirin 325 mg/day in reducing the relative risk of a combined end point of MI, ischemic stroke, or vascular death
- The statistical significance favoring PLAVIX over aspirin was marginal (P=0.045). However, because aspirin is itself effective in reducing CV events in patients with recent MI or stroke, the effect of PLAVIX is substantial.3
Similar Bleeding and Adverse Event Rates with PLAVIX 75mg to Aspirin 325 mg
PLAVIX in recent MI, recent ischemic
stroke, or established PAD |
% Incidence |
| CAPRIE–Bleeding* rates up to 3 years1,3 |
PLAVIX 75 mg
n=9,599 |
Aspirin 325 mg
n=9,586 |
| Intracranial hemorrhage |
0.4 |
0.5 |
| GI bleeding |
2.0 |
2.7 |
| Hospitalization due to GI hemorrhage |
0.7 |
1.1 |
In patients with recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke who are at high risk for recurrent ischemic events, the combination of aspirin and PLAVIX has not been shown to be more effective than PLAVIX alone, but the combination has been shown to increase major bleeding.
* Other bleeding events that were reported more frequently in the PLAVIX group were epistaxis and hematoma.
PLAVIX vs. Aspirin Treatment Tolerability13
Selected adverse events occurring in ≥2.5% of PLAVIX patients with discontinuation rates ≥0.2%
PLAVIX in recent MI, recent ischemic
stroke, or established PAD |
% Incidence (% Discontinuance) |
| CAPRIE–up to 3 years |
PLAVIX 75 mg
n=9,599 |
Aspirin 325 mg
n=9,586 |
| Chest pain |
8.3 (0.2) |
8.3 (0.3) |
| Headache |
7.6 (0.3) |
7.2 (0.2) |
| Dizziness |
6.2 (0.2) |
6.7 (0.3) |
| GI system disorders–Any event |
27.1 (3.2) |
29.8 (4.0) |
| Abdominal pain |
5.6 (0.7) |
5.2 (0.6) |
| Dyspepsia |
5.2 (0.6) |
6.1 (0.7) |
| Diarrhea |
4.5 (0.4) |
3.4 (0.3) |
| Nausea |
3.4 (0.5) |
3.8 (0.4) |
| Purpura/Bruise |
5.3 (0.3) |
3.7 (0.1) |
| Epistaxis |
2.9 (0.2) |
2.5 (0.1) |
| Skin & appendage disorders–Any event |
15.8 (1.5) |
13.1 (0.8) |
| Rash |
4.2 (0.5) |
3.5 (0.2) |
| Pruritus |
3.3 (0.3) |
1.6 (0.1) |
In CAPRIE, which compared PLAVIX with aspirin, pruritus was
more frequently reported in those taking PLAVIX. No other difference in the rate of adverse events (other than bleeding) was reported.
View the CAPRIE Trial — Journal Abstract
The effectiveness of PLAVIX is dependent on its activation to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19 (See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS: Drug Interactions.*). PLAVIX at recommended doses forms less of that metabolite and has a smaller effect on platelet function in patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers. Poor metabolizers with acute coronary syndrome or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention treated with PLAVIX at recommended doses exhibit higher cardiovascular event rates than do patients with normal CYP2C19 function. Tests are available to identify a patient's CYP2C19 genotype; these tests can be used as an aid in determining therapeutic strategy (See Clinical Pharmacology.*). Consider alternative treatment or treatment strategies in patients identified as CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (See Dosage and Administration.*).
Important Safety Information
PLAVIX is contraindicated in patients with active pathological bleeding such as peptic ulcer or intracranial hemorrhage.
PLAVIX is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity (eg, anaphylaxis) to clopidogrel or any component of the product. (See Adverse Reactions.*)
Avoid concomitant use of PLAVIX and drugs that inhibit CYP2C19 activity. Co-administration of PLAVIX with omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that is an inhibitor of CYP2C19, reduces the pharmacological activity of PLAVIX if given concomitantly or if given 12 hours apart. (See Drug Interactions.*)
Thienopyridines, including PLAVIX, increase the risk of bleeding. If a patient is to undergo surgery and an antiplatelet effect is not desired, discontinue PLAVIX 5 days prior to surgery.
Avoid lapses in therapy, and if PLAVIX must be temporarily discontinued, restart as soon as possible. Premature discontinuation of PLAVIX may increase the risk of cardiovascular events.
In patients with recent TIA or stroke who are at high risk for recurrent ischemic events, the combination of aspirin and PLAVIX has not been shown to be more effective than PLAVIX alone, but the combination has been shown to increase major bleeding.
TTP, sometimes fatal, has been reported following use of PLAVIX, sometimes after a short exposure (<2 weeks). TTP is a serious condition that requires urgent treatment including plasmapheresis (plasma exchange).
Bleeding, including life-threatening and fatal bleeding, is the most commonly reported adverse reaction.
Co-administering warfarin with PLAVIX increases the risk of bleeding.
Co-administration of PLAVIX and NSAIDs increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Nursing mothers: Discontinue drug or nursing, taking into consideration importance of drug to mother.
*Please See the Full PLAVIX Prescribing Information, Including BOXED WARNING
Indications
For patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS [unstable angina (UA)/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)] including patients who are to be managed medically and those who are to be managed with coronary revascularization, PLAVIX has been shown to decrease the rate of a combined end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke as well as the rate of a combined end point of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, or refractory ischemia.
For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), PLAVIX has been shown to reduce the rate of death from any cause and the rate of a combined end point of death, reinfarction, or stroke. The benefit for patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown.
The optimal duration of PLAVIX therapy in ACS is unknown.
For patients with a history of recent myocardial infarction (MI), recent stroke, or established peripheral arterial disease, PLAVIX has been shown to reduce the rate of a combined end point of new ischemic stroke (fatal or not), new MI (fatal or not), and other vascular death.