Switching Meds

[Jantech]

Hello Lovelies,

Has anyone else switched from Clopidogrel to low dose aspirin?

GP was happy with this and pharmacist says they are the same mode of action.

I feel happier taking a hundred year old drug rather than a more modern one.

I had a carotid blockage but no stroke.

Mild/moderate AR.

Thank you all so much for being here.

[Happyrosie]

my husband has to take both, and has done for 20 years or so.

[Ladylovesmilktray]

I’m on both but due to drop Aspirin next June, a year after having a stent fitted and on GP advice. I do not believe they offer the same, Clopidogrel is an anti platelet whereas Aspirin is anti inflammatory, but if GP feels the Aspirin will offer adequate protection, I would be happy with that. Good luck.

[Callie456]

I was on both for 12 months after my HA, then cardiologist said I could stop the clopidogrel and now just stay on the aspirin.

[Jantech in reply to Callie456]

Thanks

The BHF seems of the view that either medication is acceptable.

[1a2b3]

hi there I am in Canada, and my cardiologist has me on clopidogrel and low-dose aspirin for one year post stent being inserted this past April. In April, I am due to come off the clopidogrel and will continue on with the low-dose aspirin for life.. My mothers cardiologist, on the other hand, does the opposite after one year… Who knows what the right answer is.

[Jantech in reply to 1a2b3]

Thanks so much. Both meds seem acceptable tbh.

[iCat in reply to 1a2b3]

Your mother-cardiologist is probably [more] correct. Almost every person with CVD has CKD, which needs to be cared for, as the kidney function declines with ageing anyway…

Aspirin, as all NSAID including Ibuprofen, is nephrotoxic, at the same time Clopidogrel is much milder on kidneys. Please look up some medical studies on PubMed (free access). To save time you might go to ‘Conclusions’ at the end, it gives one an idea.

Aspirin is much cheaper than Clopidogrel and is a viable low cost solution, both for self-paying patients and the NHS. Kidney protection unfortunately needs more sophisticated drugs. My husband is on them both (plus a bag of others) at the moment till a year after his STEMI with 2 stents. He has stage 3 CKD, hospital discovered at the same time. Top consultant cardiologist in our hospital preferred to keep Clopidogrel rather than Aspirin for life.

Please get well disregarding whichever medicine you are taking!

[1a2b3 in reply to iCat]

thank you for you reply . This is exactly the explanation my mom’s cardiologist gave. Years ago aspirin was a more affordable and accessible option . He said they both do what needs to be done however, clopidogrel provides additional protection .

[Jantech in reply to iCat]

Thanks so much, I will definitely consider this seriously. Finding this all so hard.

[Tlyna]

I have been on Clopidogrel since January when I had an aortic valve replacement but he has said he will be switching me to low dose aspirin by my next checkup next month. I'll be glad of that as I have had some problems with side effects on the Clopidogrel.