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Going off plavix ups heart attack risk

Feb 6, 2008 | Associated Press | Press TV

Scientists report a higher risk of cardiac events within 90 days of stopping plavix, a drug prescribed to treat heart disease patients.

The study shows the risk of heart attack and deaths are doubled in the three months following plavix cessation in patients who initially received only medical treatment or angioplasty and stents.

The article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association claims more than 60 percent of subsequent heart attack and deaths occurred within the first three months after patients stopped taking plavix.

Previous studies had suggested a 'rebound effect' of extra blood clots, right after individuals stopped taking other anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin.

Scientists believe the same effect is responsible for the increased number of heart attacks in patients who stopped taking plavix.

They suggest reducing the drug more gradually or taking aspirin with plavix will lessen complications.

Plavix (clopidogrel) prevents blood clots accountable for heart attacks and strokes by preventing platelet aggregation.