NICE guidance - clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole in the prevention of occlusive vascular events

Last reviewed 01/2018

A summary of the NICE guidance is presented below:

This guidance does not apply to people who have had, or are at risk of, a stroke associated with atrial fibrillation, or who need treatment to prevent occlusive events after coronary revascularisation or carotid artery procedures

For people who have had a myocardial infarction, this guidance follows on from the recommendations for clopidogrel in combination with low-dose aspirin from NICE (linked item).

• 1) clopidogrel is recommended as an option to prevent occlusive vascular events:
  • for people who have had an ischaemic stroke or who have peripheral arterial disease or multivascular disease or
  • for people who have had a myocardial infarction only if aspirin is contraindicated or not tolerated
• 2) modified-release dipyridamole in combination with aspirin is recommended as an option to prevent occlusive vascular events:
  • for people who have had a transient ischaemic attack or
  • for people who have had an ischaemic stroke only if clopidogrel is contraindicated or not tolerated
• 3) modified-release dipyridamole alone is recommended as an option to prevent occlusive vascular events:
  • for people who have had an ischaemic stroke only if aspirin and clopidogrel are contraindicated or not tolerated or
  • for people who have had a transient ischaemic attack only if aspirin is contraindicated or not tolerated

Treatment with clopidogrel to prevent occlusive vascular events should be started with the least costly licensed preparation

• people currently receiving clopidogrel or modified-release dipyridamole either with or without aspirin outside the criteria in 1), 2) and 3) should have the option to continue treatment until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop

Reference:

• 1) NICE (December 2010).Clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole for the prevention of occlusive vascular events