New FDA Drug Safety Communication on Plavix (clopidogrel)

FDA review finds long-term treatment with blood-thinning medicine Plavix (clopidogrel) does not change risk of death

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review has determined that long-term use of the blood-thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel) does not increase or decrease overall risk of death in patients with, or at risk for, heart disease. Our evaluation of the Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT)1 trial and several other clinical trials also does not suggest that clopidogrel increases the risk of cancer or death from cancer.

Patients should not stop taking clopidogrel or other antiplatelet medicines because doing so may result in an increased risk of heart attacks and blood clots. Talk with your health care professional if you have any questions or concerns about clopidogrel. Health care professionals should consider the benefits and risks of available antiplatelet medicines before starting treatment.

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medicine used to prevent blood clots in patients who have had a heart attack, stroke, or problems with the circulation in the arms and legs. It works by helping to keep the platelets in the blood from sticking together and forming clots that can occur with certain medical conditions.

For more information, please visit: Plavix. 

Helene D. Clayton-Jeter, O.D.
Office of Health and Constituent Affairs
Food and Drug Administration

For more information about the Cardiovascular & Endocrine Liaison Program visit the FDA Patient Network