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· Cardio-vascular
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But the finding certainly isn't any reason to start or continue smoking, researchers say
Jump to full article: HealthDay [HealthScout], 2008-08-04
Author: Ed Edelson HealthDay Reporter
Intro: The widely used anti-clotting drug Plavix appears to have a stronger effect in people who smoke, a study indicates.
Plavix (clopidogrel) is often given to heart attack patients after the attack. It inhibits formation of clots by blood cells called platelets.
The study of 259 people given Plavix because of coronary conditions found that those who smoked had significantly less clot formation than nonsmokers.
But it's still too early to say that doctors should include smoking among the factors that affect whether Plavix should be prescribed or how large the dose should be, said study lead author Dr. Paul A. Gurbel, associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research, Baltimore.
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