Antiplatelet Medications

Over time, numerous antiplatelet agents have been developed with many indications. Antiplatelet medications divide into oral and parenteral agents, and oral agents subdivide further based on the mechanism of action. Aspirin was the first antiplatelet medication and is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Other oral antiplatelet include clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel, cilostazol, and dipyridamole. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors such as tirofiban and eptifibatide are only available as parenteral agents and are used in acute phases of acute coronary syndrome. This activity reviews the indications, contraindications, actions, adverse events, and other key elements of antiplatelet drugs essential to clinical practice.