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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Clopidogrel is a drug commonly prescribed to prevent and treat heart disease in women, but new research may boost its popularity in treating male patients.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests there are no significant sex differences in clinical benefits of clopidogrel. The drug works by disrupting platelet activity to prevent clotting, heart attacks and strokes.
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The study included 80,000 individuals with a broad range of cardiovascular diseases. Researchers used a meta-analysis of five major clinical trials to determine benefits and risks of clopidogrel therapy in both women and men. Results show the drug reduced likelihood of cardiovascular events by 16 percent in men and 7 percent in women, a difference researchers say was not statistically significant.
Researchers also say women receive the largest benefit from the treatment -- decreased risk of heart attack. The data shows a 43 percent increased risk of major bleeding in women and 21 percent increased risk in men when clopidogrel therapy was used in conjunction with aspirin.
SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, November 17, 2009
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