Effects of Pantoprazole and Esomeprazole on Platelet Inhibition by Clopidogrel

Background: Clopidogrel is activated by CYP2C19, which also metabolizes proton pump inhibitors (PPI). As proton pump inhibitors are metabolized to varying degrees by CYP2C19, we hypothesized that the reported negative omeprazole-clopidogrel drug interaction may not be a class effect.

Methods: Responsiveness to clopidogrel was assessed by the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP) assay and aggregometry (Multiplate Analyzer) in 300 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Results: The mean platelet reactivity index (PRI, assessed by the VASP assay) was nearly the same in patients with (n = 226; PRI = 51%) or without PPI treatment (n = 74; PRI = 49%; P = .724). Likewise, the adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation did not differ significantly between patients with or without PPI treatment (45 vs. 41 U; P = .619). Similarly, there was no difference in the PRI or the adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation between patients with pantoprazole (n = 152; PRI = 50%; aggregation = 47 U), esomeprazole (n = 74; PRI = 54%; aggregation = 42 U), or without PPI (n = 74; PRI = 49%; aggregation = 41 U; P = .382).

Conclusion: In contrast to the reported negative omeprazole-clopidogrel drug interaction, the intake of pantoprazole or esomeprazole is not associated with impaired response to clopidogrel.