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Clopidogrel vs. Ticagrelor

Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a prescription antiplatelet medication that helps lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. It works by stopping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots. You take it as a tablet by mouth once a day, and it might be used alone or with aspirin in some situations. Since it's a blood thinner, the most common side effect is bleeding.

• Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
• Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people who recently had one, or who have peripheral artery disease

• Minor bleeding (5%)
• Major bleeding (4%)

• Clopidogrel (Plavix) not working as well
• Bleeding
• Risk of heart attack or stroke if stopped suddenly
• Blood clotting condition
• Allergic reaction

Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet blood thinner used to lower the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, or stroke in people with certain heart conditions. It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth twice per day. It's a brand-name medication only, so a generic version isn't available. Side effects include shortness of breath, bleeding, and nausea.

• Lowering the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or who've had a previous heart attack
• Lowering the risk of a first-time heart attack or stroke in high-risk people with coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Lowering the risk of stroke in people who've had a previous stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) (also called "mini stroke")

• Shortness of breath (14%)
• Bleeding (12%)
• Dizziness (5%)
• Nausea (4%)

• Bleeding
• Risk of heart attack if stopped suddenly or too early
• Shortness of breath
• Slow heart rate
• Sleep apnea