The nurse is providing medication teaching to a client recently prescribed clopidogrel 75 mg PO Q daily for the prevention of myocardial infarction (MI). The nurse explains that clopidogrel is
Explanation
• Clopidogrel (Plavix) is an antiplatelet medication and an anticoagulant as it increases
• 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 (which treats hypertension), a diuretic (which treats hypertension, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or peripheral edema), or a statin (which treats high cholesterol).