From the Research
No, it is not safe to take prasugrel every other day. Prasugrel is an antiplatelet medication typically prescribed to be taken once daily at the same time each day. Skipping days or taking it on an alternating schedule can lead to inconsistent blood levels of the medication, which may increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
Key Points to Consider
- Prasugrel works by preventing platelets in your blood from sticking together to form clots, and consistent blood levels are necessary for this protection.
- The most recent and highest quality study, 1, suggests that low-dose prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) as part of triple therapy with aspirin and an oral anticoagulant did not increase the risk of bleeding compared with clopidogrel, but this does not support taking prasugrel every other day.
- Other studies, such as 2 and 3, demonstrate the efficacy and safety of prasugrel when taken as directed, but do not provide evidence for an every-other-day dosing regimen.
- If you're concerned about your current dosing regimen, experiencing side effects, or having difficulty affording your medication, speak with your healthcare provider before making any changes.
- They might consider alternative antiplatelet medications or different dosing strategies that are both safe and effective for your specific condition, as discussed in 4 and 5.
Important Considerations
- Never adjust your prasugrel schedule without medical guidance, as improper use can have serious or life-threatening consequences.
- Prasugrel therapy was associated with significantly reduced rates of ischemic events, including stent thrombosis, but with an increased risk of major bleeding, including fatal bleeding, as seen in 3.
- Patients older than 75 years and/or weighing less than 60 kg should receive a reduced dose of prasugrel, as noted in 4 and 5.