PHILADELPHIA -- March 30, 2009 -- A study of cardiac patients who suffered an allergic reaction to clopidogrel (Plavix) found that treatment with a combination of steroids and antihistamines can alleviate reaction symptoms, thereby allowing patients to remain on the drug.
The findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 58th Annual Scientific Session on March 30.
"[Clopidogrel] is a necessity in treating many cardiac patients, especially those with stents," said principal investigator Kimberly L. Campbell, MD, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"Patients with allergic reactions have few alternatives and stopping [clopidogrel] can result in life-threatening complications. We needed to find a way to keep allergic cardiac patients on this drug to help ensure positive cardiovascular outcomes and in this small group, we did."
The study followed 24 patients, who developed allergies to clopidogrel after undergoing coronary stent procedures.
Of the patients, 8% (21/24) were able to stay on the drug uninterrupted after being treated with low doses of antihistamines and a short course of steroids.
SOURCE: Thomas Jefferson University
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