1. Anu Garg,
  2. Johannes Radvan,
  3. Neil Hopkinson
  1. Department of Cardiology, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 8DH

    Clopidogrel is a new ADP receptor antagonist used in the prevention of myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular death. We report two cases of acute arthritis and tendonitis after clopidogrel use.

    Case 1

    A 76 year old woman was referred with a six year history of angina pectoris. She was stabilised on treatment but began to develop further symptoms at rest two months before referral. She had a long history of hypertension. She took atenolol 100 mg once daily, diltiazem 90 mg twice daily, isosorbide mononitrate 20 mg twice daily, and aspirin 75 mg daily.

    Significant two vessel coronary artery disease was found at cardiac catheterisation. She underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent insertion of the right coronary artery. She was prescribed diltiazem 120 mg twice daily, clopidogrel 75 mg once daily, and aspirin 150 mg once daily.

    Two weeks later she developed widespread pruritus, with no obvious rash, and intense pain and swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joints. The joints were red and hot, and there was synovitis. Other joints were unaffected. Her erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein concentration were increased to 86 mm in the first hour and 81 mg/l respectively. Uric acid concentration was normal and x ray films showed soft tissue swelling only with no chondrocalcinosis. Clopidogrel was stopped.

    One week later the pruritus had settled and the joint pain had improved. Repeat testing of inflammatory markers confirmed the improvement.

    Case 2

    A 63 year old man was referred with three episodes of chest discomfort on exertion. He was an ex-smoker and had a six year history of mild type 2 diabetes mellitus. In 1984 he had an uncomplicated subarachnoid haemorrhage. He took lisinopril 20 mg once daily and long acting diltiazem 200 mg once daily.

    Severe coronary artery disease in a left dominant system was found at cardiac catheterisation. He underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. He was allergic to aspirin so was prescribed clopidogrel 75 mg once daily in addition to lisinopril.

    Three weeks later he presented to his doctor with severe pain of his right knee. The knee was tender, and he was unable to bear weight on the leg. There was tenderness, heat, and swelling over the quadriceps tendon proximal to the patella. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate was mildly increased to 47 mm in the first hour. His serum urate concentration was normal. Clopidogrel was discontinued, and the symptoms resolved.

    To our knowledge arthritis has not been described as a side effect of clopidogrel, and the manufacturer knows of only one case. The two cases we describe had acute musculoskeletal inflammation and increased concentrations of inflammatory markers. We recommend that clopidogrel be considered as a potential cause of arthritis.

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