Prasugrel is a platelet inhibitor in tablet form that is usually prescribed to patients along with aspirin. Its users are typically those who have had heart attacks or stroke and underwent angioplasties. The main condition the drug helps to treat is acute coronary syndrome in patients undergoing planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Other conditions for which prasugrel may be prescribed are severe chest pain and blood clotting. This particular medicine is in the class of anti-platelets drugs and acts by preventing platelets from clotting together, a problem that could lead to heart attack or stroke.
As with all medications, caution should be taken when taking prasugrel. It is always important to follow a doctor's recommendation, especially with a medicine that acts within your bloodstream so drastically. Common side effects include dizziness, coughing, restlessness, and pain in the back, arms, or legs. Though not severe, a doctor should still be notified if these side effects are persistent. The mechanism involved and the way the medicine reacts to the body, prasugrel will only help a patient’s heart and blood vessels as long as he is taking the medication. Abruptly stopping the medication without first consulting a doctor may lead to a resurgence of your previous symptoms.
In an indication of the serious nature of prasugrel, the U.S. National Library of Medicine has issued a warning regarding the medicine’s ability to cause life-threatening bleeding. That means hemophiliacs and those who have ever suffered from stomach ulcers or other intestinal bleeding should bring their conditions up with their doctor when discussing their options. A patient should also tell his doctor if he is prescribed blood thinners or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, because this may disqualify you from using this medication. Other disqualifications may include an age of 75+, a weight of less than 132 pounds, or the likelihood of needing bypass surgery.
The drug, developed by Daiichi Sankyo Company, was being produced in 2011 by Ube with distribution by Eli Lilly and Company. Prasugrel is marketed as Effient® in the United States, though generic versions are available. Prasugrel is classified as a "pro drug", because once it enters the body it is fairly inactive until it is metabolized by the process of bioactivation. This particular drug has been approved in both the European Union and the United States.
