Effects of Drug Interaction with Clopidogrel on Cardiovascular Events and Side Effects

Clopidogrel 약물 상호 작용이 심혈관계 질환 예방 효과 및 부작용에 미치는 영향

Clopidogrel is used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerosis documented by recent ischemic stroke, recent myocardial infarction (MI), or established peripheral arterial disease (secondary prevention). Clopidogrel is metabolized by CYP3A4, and the active metabolites inhibit platelet aggregation. The purpose of this study was to assess clopidogrel only versus clopidogrel + others (aspirin, CYP3A4 inhibitor, and CYPBA4 inducer) in terms of cardiovasculalr events and bleeding complications. We reviewed the charts of patients who visited between August 1, 2002 and August 31, 2003, retrospectively. Total 72 patients were included and they consisted of 5 groups; clopidogrel group (n=36), clopidogrel + aspirin group (n=11), clopidogrel + CYP3A4 inhibitor group (n=15), clopidogrel + aspirin + CYP3A4 inhibitor group (n=6), clopidorel + CYP3A4 inducer group (n=4). The primary endpoints at 6 months, 12 months were the composite of cardiovascular (CV) events. The secondary end-point was the incidence of bleeding events at 6months, and 12months. At 12months, the primary endpoint was not significantly different among the five groups (p=0.056). In comparison of two groups as clopidogrel only versus clopidogrel + others (aspirin, CYP3A4 inhibitor and CYP3A4 inducer), the primary endpoint was significantly different (p=0.02). The CV events were increased in the clopidogrel + others group. The secondary end point was not significantly different among the five groups (p=0.52). However, time to bleeding events was 230.8 in the clopidogrel group and 74.7 in the clopidogrel + others group (p = 0.046). In conclusion, clopidogrel interaction with aspirin, CYP3A4 inhibitor, and CYP3A4 inducer affected cardiovascular events and bleeding events. Drug interaction of clopidogrel with concurrent medications should be considered cautiously.