Clopidogrel: a novel antiplatelet agent

Clopidogrel is a novel antiplatelet agent that has a different mechanism of action to aspirin. Clopidogrel is chemically related to ticlopidine, both of which are more effective than aspirin in preventing some thrombotic events, but it has a safer side-effect profile than ticlopidine. It is likely to add to the antithrombotic armoury and reduce vascular mortality and morbidity more than current therapies.