Blood thinning med's and diving.

Thanks' PF.

It may be worth contacting the manufacturer (Sanofi-Aventis) on 01483505515 or uk-medicalinformation@sanofi-aventis.com. They hold more information about clopidogrel than any doctor would, although personally i dont think it should be a problem!

Alberto (Hospital Pharmacist)

Thank you Bertmeister. (Alberto)

This aricle actually looked at possible beneficial effects of asprin and clopidrogrel in divers - sepcifically whether they can reduce the risk of DCS. One pathological effect in DCS is the bubble induced platelet aggregation following decompression resulting in formation of the so-called "platelet thrombi". As anti-paletelet "blood thinners", aspirin and clopidogrel can theoretically reduce this decompression induced platelet aggression and therefore the risk of DCS. This study however says that the evidence in favour of ASA (aspirin) is inconclusive but clopidogrel definitely exerts a beneficial effect.

In conclusion, taking clopidogrel is not only NOT a contraindication for scuba diving, there is definite evidence that it exerts a beneficial effect by reducing the risk of DCS.

Glad you were there to translate all them big words
I don't feel so bad about taking asprin every day now.

Thanks' again steppy. That is very helpful as I am getting conflicting advice on this subject.
Looks as though my April/May Maldives trip is a definite a goer then. Lovely!

No far to dangerous i will go in your place and I promise to post you photos when I get back.

Thanks for that. Reading a couple of dive books on the Andrea Doria came across accounts of Asprin given to divers as dcs first aid.
Also makes sense as one of the problems of dcs is loss of circulation so anything to reduce platelet activation is a bonus.

C

I also contacted the DDRC and asked the same question that I asked of the LDC. Their reply below.
So it looks as though I have to await the results of ALL the tests before I will obtain a definitive answer to my concerns.

DDRC Reply:-


Thank you for your query.
It would depend on a number of factors.
Clopidogrel is not an absolute no as far as diving goes but it does put you at a higher risk of more significant damage from barotrauma and decompression illness due to its blood thinning effects.
More important is why you have been put on it. You may not have had a stroke but I am assuming they think it was a TIA or mini-stroke.
Strokes and heart attacks are rarely survivable underwater (unlike on land) and the nature of diving itself (exertion, stress etc.) puts you at higher risk of suffering such an event if you are predisposed to it.
People who suffer TIAs are at significant risk of another event which is why your doctors are taking it seriously and investigating further.
I assume they are looking at your risk factors for stroke / heart attack (blood pressure / smoking status / family history / age / diabetes / cholesterol etc. ) and it will largely depend on the result of this as to whether we would be happy to endorse a fitness to dive or not.
Hopefully they will decide it was not a TIA and take you off the medication but if not, we would be happy to look at things again.
You would need to wait for all the test result then fill in a self declaration (found at: http://uksdmc.co.uk/downloads/medicalform.pdf) and send it to us with a copy of your GP notes and an admin fee of £10.
Hope this helps,
Best wishes,
Dr Matthew Waterman