Acute Coronary Syndrome Antiplatelet Alternatives in Clopidogrel Allergy

No published information exists to support the safe use of ticagrelor in patients with a clopidogrel allergy. This study involved an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of patients with a documented clopidogrel allergy who subsequently received ticagrelor between July 2011 and February 2014. We report the cases of two patients with a history of hypersensitivity to clopidogrel in whom ticagrelor was used successfully without documented incident. In addition, principles suggesting a lack of cross-sensitivity between ticagrelor and clopidogrel are reviewed. These cases combined with theoretical evidence support the use of ticagrelor in patients with hypersensitivity to clopidogrel.