P2Y12 Inhibitors (e.g. Plavix®/Effient®)
If you have suffered a heart attack or stroke, your doctor may have prescribed a type of antiplatelet medication called a P2Y12 (pronounced as “p-two-y-twelve”) inhibitor, such as Plavix or Effient, to help reduce the risk of a future heart attack or stroke. P2Y12 inhibitors help keep platelets from sticking together.
However, you need to know that
• Not all patients respond equally to their antiplatelet medications.1
• Up to 1 in 3 patients may not respond adequately to Plavix.1
The FDA and makers of Plavix issued a warning that Plavix may have reduced effectiveness in some patients due to genetic differences that reduce the body’s ability to metabolize the medication appropriately. An estimated 2-14% of patients may be affected and considered as poor metabolizers of Plavix.2
- Patients who are not responding adequately to Plavix may be at significantly greater risk of heart attack, stroke and death.3-6
- Other antiplatelet medications, such as Effient, are also available to help combat the risk of heart attack, but may not be the right treatment for all patients.7
- Antiplatelet medications may put a patient at higher risk for bleeding during surgery.7
With the VerifyNow® P2Y12 Test, your physician can rapidly assess how YOUR platelets are responding to P2Y12 inhibitors such as Plavix or Effient. This may aid your physician in determining what the best treatment strategy is for you.
• Simple blood test
• Results in minutes while you wait in your doctor’s office
Ask your doctor about the importance of antiplatelet therapy and the benefits of being tested with the VerifyNow P2Y12 Test.