HOW DO ANTIPLATELET AGENTS WORK?
Antiplatelet agents are drugs used to prevent the formation of blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Antiplatelet drugs block a substance called thromboxane A2, which is responsible for activating platelets and their aggregation. They also block platelet formation through other mechanisms.
HOW ARE ANTIPLATELET AGENTS USED?
Antiplatelet agents are used for treating:
- Arterial and venous thrombosis (clot in the arteries and veins)
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot formed in lower legs)
- Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat of the upper chambers of the heart)
- Thromboembolism (obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot that breaks loose and is carried by the bloodstream)
- Stroke
- Heart attack
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIPLATELET AGENTS?
Antiplatelet agents can cause the following side effects:
- Chest pain
- Abnormal electrocardiogram
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea
- Flushing
- Low blood pressure
- Generalized pain
- Shortness of breath
- Minor and major bleeding
- Back pain
- Injection site pain
- Anemia
- Diarrhea
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF ANTIPLATELET AGENTS?
Generic and brand names of antiplatelet agents include:
- Abciximab
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Aggrastat
- Asa
- Aspirin
- Aspirin/omeprazole
- Bayer advanced aspirin
- Bayer buffered aspirin
- Bayer children's aspirin
- Bayer extra strength
- Bayer extra strength plus
- Bayer low adult strength
- Bayer women's low dose
- Brilinta
- Bufferin
- Bufferin extra strength
- Cangrelor
- Clopidogrel
- Dipyridamole
- Durlaza
- Ecotrin
- Ecotrin maximum strength
- Effient
- Eptifibatide
- Extended release Bayer 8-hour caplets
- Extra strength Bayer plus caplets
- Genuine Bayer aspirin
- Halfprin DSC
- Integrilin
- Kengreal
- Maximum Bayer aspirin
- Persantine
- Plavix
- Prasugrel
- Reopro
- St. Joseph adult chewable aspirin
- St. Joseph regular strength
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlid
- Ticlopidine (discontinued)
- Tirofiban
- Vazalore
- Vorapaxar
- Yosprala
- Zontivity
