Evidence for prolonged prescribing of aspirin-clopidogrel combination in Scottish primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether patients were prescribed the combination of aspirin-clopidogrel in primary care after the generally recommended 12-month period.


METHODS
A population based cross-sectional study using data from 61 general practices (1st April 2003-31st March 2004).


RESULTS
691 patients (0.18% of total population) were prescribed aspirin-clopidogrel in combination. 27.78% of these patients had undergone coronary stenting or angioplasty and 34.30% were prescribed this combination for more than 1 year. 96 (13.9%) patients had a previous history of ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients were prescribed the combination of aspirin-clopidogrel beyond the generally accepted 12-month period, which may lead to increased safety and cost concerns.
Simpson
Colin R
CR
Department of General Practice & Primary Care, Foresterhill Health Centre, The University of Aberdeen, UK.
Alford
Karen
K
Williams
David
D
D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin