#6 PPIs and clopidogrel: Never the twain shall meet?
CLINICAL QUESTION
Do proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) interact with clopidogrel to reduce its cardiovascular (CV) benefit?
BOTTOM LINE
Studies are inconsistent about the impact of PPIs on clopidogrel effectiveness, though most higher-quality studies show no interaction. The association with CV risk seen with PPI use is likely due to underlying comorbidities rather than a true drug interaction.
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EVIDENCE
A systematic review1 of 33 studies encompasses the best-available evidence. Highlights:
- ~50% of retrospective observational studies, and ~25% of prospective observational studies found a significant association of increased CV risk with PPI + clopidogrel versus clopidogrel alone.
- Retrospective studies generally had higher risk of bias.
- One randomized controlled trial (RCT)2 of 3,761 patients receiving clopidogrel and ASA followed for a median of 3.5 months:
- No difference in CV events, omeprazole 4.9% versus placebo 5.7%.
- Limitations: Unplanned early termination, underpowered for CV comparisons.
- Non-randomized subgroup analyses of landmark antiplatelet trials.3,4
- PPI did not increase CV risk with either clopidogrel or prasugrel.
- PPI increased CV risk with both clopidogrel (HR 1.20) and ticagrelor (HR 1.24).
- Note: Ticagrelor does not require enzymatic activation and should therefore not be affected by the postulated PPI drug interaction mechanism.
- PPIs have inconsistent effects on surrogate markers of clopidogrel efficacy.1
- American guidelines12 (though based on outdated evidence) reasonably recommend careful assessment of the indication for PPIs, as they are frequently prescribed without a clear indication.13
- There is no consistent difference in CV risk association between PPIs, including pantoprazole.14
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