Clopidogrel

Question 1

Drug Class of Clopidogrel

Answer 1

Antiplatelet

Question 2

Presentation of Clopidogrel

Answer 2

• Tablet (pink), 75 mg, clopidogrel

Question 3

Schedule of Clopidogrel

Answer 3

• S4 (Restricted drugs).

Question 4

Pharmacology of Clopidogrel

Answer 4

Clopidogrel is a specific and potent platelet aggregation inhibitor. 
 It selectively inhibits the binding of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) 
 to its platelet receptor, thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Question 5

Metabolism of Clopidogrel

Answer 5

Hepatic metabolism with near equal amounts excreted in urine 
 and faeces.

Question 6

Indications of Clopidogrel

Answer 6

• For patients with STEMI (as defined by the 
 appropriate QAS CPP); AND [3]
- who have been accepted for pPCI (as an adjunct medication to aspirin and heparin) and the
receiving interventional cardiologist is requesting clopidogrel administration; OR
- who have received fibrinolytic therapy 
 (and have been administered aspirin and enoxaparin)

Question 7

Contraindications of Clopidogrel

Answer 7

• KSAR or hypersensitivity to clopidogrel
• Patients contraindicated for pre-hospital
 fibrinolysis administration
• Current clopidogrel OR ticagrelor therapy
• Patient < 18 years
• Active bleeding (excluding menses)
• Prior intracranial haemorrhage

Question 8

Precautions of Clopidogrel

Answer 8

• Severe renal impairment

Question 9

Side Effects of Clopidogrel

Answer 9

• Haemorrhage

Question 10

Routes of Administration of Clopidogrel

Answer 10

Per oral (PO)

Question 11

Onset time of Clopidogrel PO

Answer 11

≈ 30 min 
 (within 5 hours of a 300 mg loading dose 80% of platelet activity will be inhibited)

Question 12

Duration time of Clopidogrel PO

Answer 12

7–10 days (antiplatelet)

Question 13

Half life of Clopidogrel

Answer 13

8 hours

Question 14

Special Notes of Clopidogrel

Answer 14

• 15–48% of patients have a poor platelet inhibition response to clopidogrel. Therefore, the interventional cardiologist may request the administration of ticagrelor in preference 
 to clopidogrel for selected patients.

Question 15

Adult Dose of Clopidogrel PO
Patients with STEMI (as defined by the relevant QAS 
 coronary artery reperfusion checklist) who have been 
 accepted for pPCI (and have been administered aspirin 
 and heparin) AND the receiving interventional 
 cardiologist is requesting clopidogrel administration

Answer 15

≥ 18 years – 600 mg


Swallowed with a small quantity of water.

Question 16

Adult Dose of Clopidogrel PO
Patients with STEMI (as defined by the relevant QAS
 coronary artery reperfusion checklist) who have received 

tenecteplase (and have been administered aspirin and 
 enoxaparin)

Answer 16

≥ 18 years – 300 mg


Swallowed with a small quantity of water.