Prasugrel as an alternative for clopidogrel-associated neutropenia

Clopidogrel has mostly replaced the use of ticlopidine due to its more favourable hematologic adverse event profile. Prasugrel is the newest thienopyridine approved for use in Canada. This case describes a patient who was diagnosed with an acute coronary syndrome and treated with bare metal stenting of his coronary artery. He was discharged home on clopidogrel therapy. Two weeks later he presented with severe neutropenia. Clopidogrel was discontinued and prasugrel was initiated. Neutrophil count gradually increased and returned to normal. In patients with neutropenia associated with clopidogrel therapy, prasugrel may be considered as an alternative.