Why the study?
How long does it take for platelet function to recover after discontinuing clopidogrel in healthy volunteers?
How long does it take for platelet function to recover after discontinuing clopidogrel in healthy volunteers?
This study provides direct evidence that clopidogrel irreversibly inhibits platelets, with complete recovery of function taking 7 days after discontinuation.
May inform 7-day washout timing in volunteers; leaves open applicability in patients with cardiovascular disease.
AIMS: To study the recovery of platelet function after discontinuation of clopidogrel treatment in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were treated with clopidogrel (75 mg day(-1)) for 7 days. CD62P expression and PAC-1 binding were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 30 microM)-induced platelet responses were almost completely inhibited by clopidogrel. After discontinuation of the drug, platelet function gradually increased and complete recovery was seen 7 days after the last clopidogrel dose. The mean difference (95% CI) for ADP-induced PAC-1 binding (fluorescence intensity) between baseline and 7 days after the last dose was 0.01 (0.61, -0.59). Single cell analysis provides direct evidence for an irreversible mode of action of clopidogrel. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report to directly demonstrate irreversibility of clopidogrel action in humans.
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Weber et al. (2001) studied this question.
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