The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7372 p506
22 October 2005

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NICE clarifies guidance on use of clopidogrel

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has clarified its guidance on the use of clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

The guidance recommends that clopidogrel, in combination with low-dose aspirin, be given for up to 12 months after an acute episode of non-ST-segment-elevation ACS. The appraisal committee responsible for the guidance said it had not intended to give clinicians and funders any flexibility in determining this period of treatment, except as a result of patient preferences or experiences such as side effects.

So, in implementing the guidance, the NHS should fund clopidogrel therapy for 12 months after an index event, the committee said.