Clopidogrel is more effective than aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes, according to scientists from ten countries led by Marco Valgimigli of the University of Italian Switzerland. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of seven clinical trials, including a total of nearly 29,000 participants. After 5.5 years of follow-up, people taking clopidogrel had a 14 percent lower risk of heart attack or stroke than those taking aspirin (p = 0.0082). The study was published in The Lancet.
Aspirin is currently often prescribed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. Given the results obtained in the current study, clopidogrel may replace it in future clinical guidelines. This is especially true since improved efficacy appears to be achieved without increasing the risk of side effects. Furthermore, the incidence of bleeding, which sometimes occurs with blood thinning medications, does not differ between the two medications.
