Prasugrel works by reducing or preventing the formation of blood clots in arteries by reducing the clumping together of platelets in the blood.
The NICE guidance recommends prasugrel in combination with aspirin as an option for individuals who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, only when immediate primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is necessary, or a blood clot blocking a stent has occurred during treatment with clopidogrel, or the patient has diabetes mellitus.
People currently receiving prasugrel for treatment of acute coronary syndromes whose circumstances do not meet these criteria should have the option to continue therapy until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop. Dr Carole Longson, director at NICE said, “There are a range of heart problems classed as acute coronary syndromes. These conditions have a huge impact on the individuals affected. This new guidance recommending prasugrel in combination with aspirin will offer an additional treatment option for these specific individuals at risk of blood clots.”
