to be switching from coumadin to plavix per dr.

To what degree are we sacrificing control of possible clots
with plavix as preventive medication -- to switch after 13 years of coumadin control.   (Never had clots.)

Has it been on the market long enough for accurate studies ?
Is this the drug Pfizer was working on for years - ?

[Sandra Y, RPh]

Plavix (clopidogrel) was approved by the FDA for reduction of atherosclerotic events in patients with recent MI or stroke or established peripheral arterial disease in November 1997. Since then, clopidogrel has been approved for the reduction of atherosclerotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Clopidogrel does not require routine blood monitoring. Overall tolerability associated with use of clopidogrel appears to be similar to that of aspirin; however, gastrointestinal bleeding may occur less often with clopidogrel.

Clopidogrel is used to reduce stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death in patients with a history of recent stroke, recent myocardial infarction (MI), or established peripheral vascular disease. The CAPRIE study shows that it is more effective than aspirin in reducing atherosclerotic events in high risk patients.