Effient available for purchase in U.S.

Effient (prasugrel), a recently approved antiplatelet medicine, became available to U.S. pharmacies on Wednesday, drugmakers Daiichi Sankyo and Eli Lilly announced.

The FDA approved Effient tablets on July 10 for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events, including stent thrombosis, in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are managed with PCI.

However, bleeding is the most common side effect of Effient. Patients should not take Effient if they have a stomach ulcer or other conditions that cause bleeding or if they have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. If patients are 75 or older, or if they weigh less than 132 pounds, or if they are taking anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (eg, ibuprofen or naproxen) for a long time, they should talk to their doctor, as they may be at an increased risk of bleeding, the firms' warned.

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