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Evidence for prolonged prescribing of aspirin-clopidogrel combination in Scottish primary care.

Simpson CR, Alford K, Williams D

Department of General Practice & Primary Care, Foresterhill Health Centre, The University of Aberdeen, UK.

PURPOSE: To identify whether patients were prescribed the combination of aspirin-clopidogrel in primary care after the generally recommended 12-month period. METHODS: A population based cross-sectional study using data from 61 general practices (1st April 2003-31st March 2004). RESULTS: 691 patients (0.18% of total population) were prescribed aspirin-clopidogrel in combination. 27.78% of these patients had undergone coronary stenting or angioplasty and 34.30% were prescribed this combination for more than 1 year. 96 (13.9%) patients had a previous history of ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were prescribed the combination of aspirin-clopidogrel beyond the generally accepted 12-month period, which may lead to increased safety and cost concerns.

Published 3 April 2008 in Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 17(4): 397-400.
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