Trade Name for Prasugrel
The trade name for prasugrel is Effient (marketed in the United States) or Efient (marketed in Europe and other regions). 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Key Clinical Information
Prasugrel is a third-generation thienopyridine P2Y12 inhibitor that provides more rapid, consistent, and potent platelet inhibition compared to clopidogrel 6. The medication is FDA-approved for use in combination with aspirin to prevent atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) 1.
Important Safety Considerations
Prasugrel carries an FDA boxed warning regarding significant or fatal bleeding risk 6. The drug is contraindicated in:
- Patients with active pathological bleeding
- Patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) 1
High-Risk Populations
Special caution is warranted in patients who are:
- Age ≥75 years: Generally not recommended except in high-risk situations (diabetes with prior MI) where benefit may outweigh risk 1
- Body weight <60 kg (<132 lbs): Consider dose reduction to 5 mg maintenance dose 1
- History of stroke/TIA: Absolute contraindication 1
Dosing
Standard dosing consists of a 60 mg loading dose followed by 10 mg daily maintenance therapy 6, 1. The 5 mg maintenance dose option exists for low body weight patients, though this has not been prospectively studied 1.