prasugrel hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Irreversible P2Y12 antiplatelet agent
Licensed role
Prevention of atherothrombotic events after coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome, alongside aspirin
Food
May be taken with or without food
Tablet handling
Swallow intact; do not crush or break
Main safety concern
Bleeding, which may occasionally be severe
What is prasugrel hydrochloride used for?
UK-licensed use represented by the selected products:
Used with aspirin to prevent atherothrombotic events in adults with unstable angina, non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction or ST-elevation myocardial infarction who undergo primary or delayed percutaneous coronary intervention.
How does prasugrel hydrochloride work?
Prasugrel is converted into an active metabolite that binds irreversibly to platelet P2Y12 receptors. This blocks ADP-driven platelet activation and aggregation, making harmful arterial clots less likely; affected platelets remain inhibited for the rest of their lifespan.
prasugrel hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg
How to take prasugrel hydrochloride
Follow the prescription and pack leaflet. Prasugrel may be taken with or without food.
Swallow the tablet intact; do not crush or break it.
Tell doctors, dentists and pharmacists that you take prasugrel.
Do not stop it without discussing this with the responsible clinician, because premature interruption after coronary intervention can increase the risk of clotting, heart attack or death.
prasugrel hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Bruising or small areas of bleeding beneath the skin
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding from the stomach or bowel
- Blood in the urine
- Bleeding or a haematoma at a needle or procedure site
- Rash
- Anaemia
Get urgent medical advice
- Heavy, prolonged or uncontrollable bleeding
- Blood in vomit or coughed-up blood; black or bloody stools
- Sudden weakness, facial droop, speech difficulty, severe headache or loss of coordination
- Face, lip, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or another severe allergic reaction
- Fever with pinpoint bruising, profound tiredness, confusion or jaundice, which may indicate thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
prasugrel hydrochloride in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are limited. The product information advises using prasugrel during pregnancy only when the expected maternal benefit justifies the potential fetal risk, so pregnancy or plans to conceive should be discussed promptly with the specialist or prescriber.
prasugrel hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The product information does not recommend prasugrel during breastfeeding because human milk data are unavailable. UK specialist guidance states that it may sometimes be used cautiously after an individual assessment for a full-term, healthy infant, with monitoring for bruising, prolonged bleeding or skin reactions.
prasugrel hydrochloride interactions
Review prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products because several combinations alter bleeding risk or antiplatelet effect.
Aspirin
This is the licensed companion antiplatelet treatment, but the combination also increases bleeding tendency.
Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants
The combination may increase bleeding and requires careful clinical assessment.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors
Regular or prolonged use may further increase bleeding risk.
Common questions about prasugrel hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is prasugrel hydrochloride a blood thinner?
It is an antiplatelet treatment rather than an anticoagulant. It reduces the ability of platelets to clump together, which lowers arterial clot formation but increases bleeding tendency.
Why is prasugrel hydrochloride given with aspirin?
The UK licence is based on combined platelet inhibition after coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. Both treatments contribute to clot prevention, while also increasing bleeding risk.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.