Clopidogrel is an oral medication that is taken for its antiplatelet effect, which reduces incidence of atherothrombotic events (e.g. myocardial infarction/acute coronary syndrome, ischaemic stroke and critical limb ischaemia secondary to peripheral arterial disease).

Maintenance dose or low-dose clopidogrel (typically 75mg OD) is sufficient to produce antiplatelet effects however it is often used as part of dual anti-antiplatelet therapy with aspirin.

Clopidogrel monotherapy is generally reserved for patients who are intolerant of aspirin.

Higher doses (300-600mg) of clopidogrel are used prior to percutaneous coronary intervention to prevent an atherothrombotic event.

When deciding whether to start a patient on an antiplatelet drug, ALWAYS weigh-up their risk of thrombosis vs. haemorrhagic risk.