What Is Effient Used For?
Effient® (
prasugrel hydrochloride) is a prescription antiplatelet medication that is used to prevent
heart attacks,
strokes, and cardiovascular-related deaths (due to heart attacks or strokes) in people who have had an
angioplasty procedure to treat a blocked heart artery after experiencing a heart attack or heart-related chest pain. It is used in combination with aspirin.
Angioplasty is also known as percutaneous intervention (or PCI, for short). Angioplasty involves threading a small tube (known as a catheter) through a large blood vessel, often in the upper thigh, all the way to the heart. Once the tube reaches the blocked artery in the heart, a small balloon is inflated to open up the blockage.
When used for treating a blocked coronary artery, angioplasty usually involves placing a stent (a small mesh tube) to help keep the artery open.
Angioplasty does not change the underlying risk factors that led to the blocked artery, such as
high cholesterol, and the stent itself (as well as other arteries) may become blocked in the future. Effient is prescribed along with aspirin to help prevent problems, such as heart attacks or strokes, due to future clots, as well as to keep clots from forming in the stent.
It is important to take Effient and aspirin as long as your healthcare provider thinks it is necessary. Depending on your particular situation, this may be for a longer or shorter period compared to others. Other measures to reduce your risk factors should also be taken, such as lowering your
blood pressure and
cholesterol.
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