Clopidogrel is safer than ticagrelor in regard to bleeds: A closer look at the PLATO trial

Conclusions: Clopidogrel is safer than ticagrelor in regard to bleeding. Additionally, ticagrelor's purported faster antiplatelet ‘offset’ is substantially longer than its pharmacokinetics indicate. Considering the fact that the mortality, stent thrombosis and myocardial infarction ‘benefit’ of ticagrelor have recently been challenged, and that the increase in stroke on ticagrelor has recently been shown to be worse than originally published, the decision to use ticagrelor over clopidogrel in the face of a higher risk for bleeds is not advised.

Source: International Journal of Cardiology - July 31, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: James J. DiNicolantonio, Fabrizio D'Ascenzo, Ales Tomek, Saurav Chatterjee, Asfandyar K. Niazi, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai Tags: Editorials Source Type: research