Authors' objectives:

To provide guidance on the use of clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole in the prevention of occlusive vascular events.

Authors' recommendations: This guidance applies to people who have had an occlusive vascular event, or who have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. This guidance does not apply to people who have had, or are at risk of, a stroke associated with atrial fibrillation, or who require treatment to prevent occlusive events after coronary revascularisation or carotid artery procedures. 1.1 As part of the prevention of occlusive vascular events: 1.1.1 the combination of modified-release (MR) dipyridamole and aspirin is recommended for people who have had an ischaemic stroke or a transient ischaemic attack for a period of 2 years from the most recent event. Thereafter, or if MR dipyridamole is not tolerated, preventative therapy should revert to standard care (including long-term treatment with low-dose aspirin) 1.1.2 clopidogrel alone (within its licensed indications) is recommended for people who are intolerant of low-dose aspirin and either have experienced an occlusive vascular event or have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. 1.2 For the purposes of this guidance, aspirin intolerance is defined as either of the following: - proven hypersensitivity to aspirin-containing medicines - history of severe dyspepsia induced by low-dose aspirin.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=259254

Year Published: 2005

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Contact Address: MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NA, UK. Tel: +44 020 7067 5800; Fax: +44 020 7067 5801

Contact Name: nice@nice.nhs.uk

Contact Email: nice@nice.nhs.uk

Copyright: National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)