Appendix 5.

Comparisons Among Orally Effective P2Y12 Inhibitors

ClopidogrelPrasugrel
PharmacologyProdrug—requires conversion to active metabolite that irreversibly blocks P2Y12 receptor.Prodrug—requires conversion to active metabolite that irreversibly blocks P2Y12 receptor. Conversion to active metabolite occurs more rapidly and to a greater degree than with clopidogrel.
Effect on platelet AggregationThere is a delay of several hours before maximal antiplatelet effect is seen.Onset of antiplatelet effect is faster and extent of inhibition of aggregation is greater than with clopidogrel.
Management strategyConservativeInvasiveConservativeInvasive
    Loading dose300 mg300–600 mg*Generally not recommended for precatheterization use in UA/NSTEMI60 mg at time of PCI
        Comment* Optimal dose not established for invasive strategy although 600 mg generally preferred.
        TimingInitiate on presentation.Give as soon as possible before or at the time of PCI.Initiate as soon as coronary anatomy is known and decision is made to proceed with PCI
    Maintenance dose75 mg75 mg10 mg
        CommentOptimal approach to dosing in individual patients based on genotype and individual antiplatelet effects not rigorously established.Optimal individual dose not rigorously established (see comment to left). (150 mg for first 6 d is an alternative.)Consider reduction to 5 mg in patients weighing <60 kg. The efficacy (or benefit) of prasugrel in those age ≥75 y is uncertain. Contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or TIA.
        DurationAt least 1 mo and ideally up to 1 yAt least 1 y for BMS or DESAt least 1 y for DES
Additional considerations
    Variability of ResponseGreater compared with prasugrel. Factors impacting response in some patients may include genetic predisposition to convert parent compound to active metabolite and drug interactions (eg, PPIs).Less compared with clopidogrel. Impact of genotype and concomitant medications appears less than with clopidogrel.
    Platelet function TestingClinical utility not rigorously established. May be useful in selected patients with ischemic/thrombotic events while compliant with a clopidogrel regimen.Clinical utility not rigorously established but less likely to be necessary given lesser degree of variation in response.
    GenotypingIdentifies patients with a diminished (CYP2C19 * 2,* 3 alleles) or enhanced (CYP2C17 allele) ability to form active metabolite. Role of genotyping in clinical management not rigorously established.Clinical utility not rigorously established but less likely to be necessary given lesser degree of variation in response.
    Risk of bleedingStandard dosing with clopidogrel is associated with less bleeding than with prasugrel. Higher doses of clopidogrel are associated with greater risk of bleeding than standard dose clopidogrel.Risk of spontaneous, instrumented, and fatal bleeds higher with prasugrel compared with standard dose clopidogrel.
    Transition to elective or nonurgent surgeryWait at least 5 d after last dose.Wait at least 7 d after last dose.
  • BMS indicates bare-metal stent; DES, drug-eluting stent; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; PPI, proton pump inhibitor; TIA, transient ischemic attack; and UA/NSTEMI, unstable angina/non-ST–elevation myocardial infarction.