Clopidogrel brand name
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Clopidogrel Brand Name: Efficacy, Safety, and Perceptions
Introduction to Clopidogrel and Its Brand Name
Clopidogrel, commonly known by its brand name Plavix, is a widely used antiplatelet medication prescribed to prevent atherothrombotic events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. With the expiration of Plavix's patent, generic versions of clopidogrel have become available, raising questions about their efficacy, safety, and acceptance among healthcare providers and patients.
Efficacy of Generic vs. Brand-Name Clopidogrel
Clinical Outcomes in Acute Myocardial Infarction
A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan compared the clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with either generic or brand-name clopidogrel. The study found no significant differences in the primary efficacy outcomes, including myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, ischemic stroke, and all-cause death, between the two groups over a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. Similarly, a prospective randomized study comparing the antiplatelet effects of Plavix and the generic Egitromb in patients with stable coronary artery disease found no significant differences in platelet aggregation inhibition between the two formulations.
Quality Evaluation in Bangladesh
An evaluation of different brands of clopidogrel tablets available in Bangladesh revealed that all brands met the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) standards for weight variation, friability, disintegration time, and dissolution profile, indicating that the generic versions maintain the necessary quality for therapeutic efficacy.
Safety of Generic vs. Brand-Name Clopidogrel
Safety in Carotid Endarterectomy Patients
A randomized controlled trial assessed the clinical safety of brand and generic clopidogrel in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The study found that Plavix and another brand, Piax, combined with aspirin, were associated with better clinical safety compared to two other generic formulations, as evidenced by significantly lower bleeding rates.
Emergency Room Consultations and Hospitalizations
An interrupted time series analysis in Quebec, Canada, observed an increase in emergency room consultations and hospitalizations among generic clopidogrel users immediately after its commercialization. However, the long-term trends in adverse events were similar between generic and brand-name users, suggesting that initial concerns may not persist over time .
Perceptions and Adherence
Physician and Patient Preferences
A study in Kerala, India, highlighted that a significant majority of physicians (86%) and patients (81%) preferred branded clopidogrel over generic versions due to concerns about the quality and reliability of generics. This preference was despite the fact that generic clopidogrel was available free of cost in government-run hospitals.
Adherence and Economic Impact
A real-life retrospective study in Spain found that patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) showed better adherence to treatment with brand-name clopidogrel compared to generic versions. This improved adherence was associated with lower overall healthcare costs for the Spanish National Health System.
Conclusion
The available evidence suggests that generic clopidogrel is generally comparable to its brand-name counterpart, Plavix, in terms of efficacy and safety for preventing cardiovascular events. However, perceptions of quality and reliability among healthcare providers and patients continue to favor branded versions, influencing adherence and economic outcomes. Further large-scale studies are needed to ensure the quality and acceptance of generic medications in clinical practice.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic