Two medicines, side by side
Clopidogrel vs rosuvastatin
Clopidogrel and rosuvastatin are both labeled for heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clopidogrel since 1997 and of rosuvastatin since 2003. Pharmacies paid $0.0472 per clopidogrel 75 mg tablet and $0.0692 per rosuvastatin calcium 40 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clopidogrel is a p2y12 platelet inhibitor and rosuvastatin a hmg-coa reductase inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the clopidogrel FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 30, 2025); the rosuvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 4, 2026).
Highlights of the clopidogrel record
Clopidogrel (Plavix) · label of May 30, 2025
DIMINISHED ANTIPLATELET EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH TWO LOSS-OF-FUNCTION ALLELES OF THE CYP2C19 GENE WARNING: DIMINISHED ANTIPLATELET EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH TWO LOSS-OF-FUNCTION ALLELES OF THE CYP2C19 GENE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Effectiveness of Plavix depends on conversion to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19. ( 5.1 , 12.3 ) Tests are available to identify patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers.
Used for
From the label: indicationsPlavix is a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor indicated for: Acute coronary syndrome – For patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS (unstable angina [UA]/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]), Plavix has been shown to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. ( 1.1 ) – For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), Plavix has been shown to reduce the rate of MI and stroke. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 17, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0472 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the rosuvastatin record
Rosuvastatin (Crestor) · label of September 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsRosuvastatin tablets are indicated: To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or an arterial revascularization procedure) in adults at increased risk for CV events. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 12, 2003
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0692 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 13
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clopidogrel label of May 30, 2025, Rosuvastatin label of September 4, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clopidogrel and rosuvastatin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clopidogrel is a p2y12 platelet inhibitor and rosuvastatin a hmg-coa reductase inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Clopidogrel, “Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation through the irreversible binding of its active metabolite to the P2Y 12 class of ADP receptors on platelets.”; Rosuvastatin, “Rosuvastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of cholesterol.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Clopidogrel, “After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 hours.”; Rosuvastatin, “The elimination half-life of rosuvastatin is approximately 19 hours.”
Only the clopidogrel label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clopidogrel since 2008; rosuvastatin since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clopidogrel | Rosuvastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Angina | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides, Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitor | HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation through the irreversible binding of its active metabolite to the P2Y 12 class of ADP receptors on platelets. | Rosuvastatin is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme that converts 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A to mevalonate, a precursor of cholesterol. |
| Half-life (label) | After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 hours. | The elimination half-life of rosuvastatin is approximately 19 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 17, 1997 | August 12, 2003 |
| First generic approved | January 14, 2008 | April 29, 2016 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0472 per tablet (Clopidogrel 75 mg tablet) | $0.0692 per tablet (Rosuvastatin calcium 40 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -7% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 13 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 211,001 | 110,043 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Clopidogrel label, drug interactionsPromptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss if patients are treated concomitantly with other antiplatelet agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clopidogrel
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions