In response to research published by The Lancet online (1) which suggests that Clopidogrel - an anti-clotting drug given used in the treatment of heart attacks - is less effective on people under 45 years of age with a particular genetic variation, Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said:

"Clopidogrel is an effective drug with proven benefits for patients with coronary heart disease. But this study suggests that there may be some young heart attack victims whose genetic make up renders them somewhat resistant to its beneficial anti-clotting effects."

"However, most people taking Clopidogrel should not be concerned and should certainly not stop taking the drug.

"Further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study and to establish how best to improve anti-clotting treatment in those few patients in whom it could be a problem. There are newer anti-clotting drugs entering the market that might provide a solution.

"This is an early example of where a genetic test may be able to determine which drug is best suited for a particular individual."

(1) Statement issued in response to Cytochrome P450 2C19 polymorphism in young patients treated with clopidogrel after myocardial infarction: a cohort study by Dr Gilles Montalescot et al. Published by The Lancet online December 23, 2008. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61845-0

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