Pattern of clopidogrel exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 1998-2004.
BACKGROUND
Information on the management of potentially adverse exposures to clopidogrel is limited.


METHODS
This study examined the distribution of 582 clopidogrel exposures reported to Texas poison control centers during 1998-2004.


RESULTS
Eighty-four percent of cases with a reported dose having a dose < or = 150 mg. Management of 65% of the exposures occurred on site. Of those exposures with a final medical outcome, 73% were classified as no effect. Of those exposures to clopidogrel alone, the most frequent adverse clinical effects were vomiting (2.4%) and dizziness (2.4%). The most frequent treatments were decontamination by dilution (30%), food (12%), and activated charcoal (7%).


CONCLUSIONS
In the majority of potentially adverse clopidogrel exposures reported to poison control centers the doses are twice the recommended dosage or less. The outcome of such exposures are generally favorable, with few adverse clinical effects occurring.
Forrester
Mathias B
MB
Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas 78756, USA. mathias.forrester@dshs.state.tx.us
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000506:poisoning*; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000506:poisoning; D013997:Time Factors
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine