A patient is prescribed with clopidogrel, 75 mg, to be taken daily for the prevention of a myocardial infarction. The patient asks the nurse why he needs this medication. The nurse provides patient education with the knowledge that clopidogrel is a(n):

Explanation

• Clopidogrel (Plavix) is an antiplatelet medication (also considered an anticoagulant as it increases risk for bleeding) used in the prevention of vascular ischemic events (acute MI, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease) and during an acute myocardial infarction 

• Unlike aspirin, clopidogrel reduces platelet aggregation by inhibiting the adenosine diphosphate receptors (ADP) pathway of platelets and does not affect prostaglandin metabolism 

• Clopidogrel is not an ACE inhibitor (treats hypertension), a diuretic (treats hypertension, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or peripheral edema), or a statin (treats high cholesterol)