Abstract 3730: Celecoxib Does Not Deteriorate Antiplatelet Effects of Aspirin and Clopidogrel in Healthy Volunteers

Background: Celecoxib, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, has been reported to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in animal studies and to reduce restenosis after coronary stenting in COREA-TAXUS clinical trial. The main concern is that celecoxib would increase thrombogenecity by inhibiting the synthesis of prostacyclin in endothelial cells. However, it is not known whether the administration of celecoxib would weaken antiplatelet effects of aspirin and clopidogrel which are used after stenting. Methods: We recruited healthy volunteers (n=40) and randomized them into five subgroups. Each subject received the medication for 6 days and blood samples were taken day 0 and 7. Celecoxib 200mg twice a day, and/or aspirin 100mg daily, and/or clopidogrel 75 mg daily was administered. We compared platelet function by using light transmittance aggregometry and arachidonic acid metabolite assay among subgroups. Results: Celecoxib single treatment did not significantly affect platelet aggregation. Dual asprin and Plavix treatment inhibited platelet aggregation by 53%, which was not affected by addition of celecoxib showing 52% inhibition (t-test: p = 0.873). The changes of prostacyclin level did not differ among each treatment group (ANOVA: p=0.193). Although statistically not significant, celecoxib seems to lower the thromboxane level further when added to antiplatelet agents. Conclusion: Celecoxib treatment did not interfere with antiplatelet effect of aspirin or clopidogrel, suggesting that celecoxib as anti-restenosis agent would be administered safely during coverage of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary stenting without increasing thrombogenecity.