Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 1: Aspirin, one of the most widely used over-the-counter drugs, has long been the go-to daily medication to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, while also helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, new research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) congress and published in The Lancet has revealed that another well-known drug, clopidogrel, may be more effective than aspirin in protecting the heart.

In a large analysis involving nearly 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), researchers found that clopidogrel reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events — such as heart attacks, strokes, and related deaths — by 14% more than aspirin. Importantly, this superior protection did not come with a higher risk of major bleeding.

Clopidogrel, widely available in its generic form and also known by the brand name Plavix, is an antiplatelet medication that prevents blood clots by blocking the P2Y12 receptor on platelets. It is already commonly prescribed alongside aspirin for patients recovering from stent procedures.

The ESC findings were further supported by a meta-analysis published in the BMJ, which evaluated P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy — including clopidogrel and ticagrelor — in over 16,000 patients. The study showed a 23% reduction in the combined risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death compared to aspirin alone, again without increasing the risk of serious bleeding.

Experts believe these results could reshape global treatment guidelines. Clopidogrel offers several advantages:

Better protection: Greater reduction in adverse cardiac events than aspirin.

Similar safety profile: No additional risk of major bleeding.

Affordable and accessible: Available as a generic drug.

Effective across groups: Benefits extend even to patients with genetic or clinical variations affecting drug response.

However, medical specialists caution that longer-term data and cost-effectiveness studies are still needed before clopidogrel universally replaces aspirin. For now, the findings mainly apply to patients with stable coronary artery disease or those who have undergone stent insertion.

Doctors emphasize that patients should not alter their medications without medical guidance, as treatment choices must be tailored to individual health conditions, genetic factors, and medical history.