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Antiplatelet Agents What are antiplatelet agents? Antiplatelet agents are drugs that interfere with the blood's ability to clot. They're used to prevent blood clots from forming that can lead to heart attack or stroke. How do blood clots form? A blood clot starts when cells in the blood called platelets clump together where plaque forms in a blood vessel. Plaque forms when cholesterol and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. This process is called atherosclerosis (ath"er-o-skleh-RO'sis). How do antiplatelet agents work? Antiplatelet agents work by preventing the platelets in the blood from clumping. Examples of antiplatelets include aspirin, clopidogrel (klo-PID'o-grel), ticlopidine (ti"KLO'pih-deen), and dipyridamole (di-pi-RID'ah-mól). Antiplatelet agents, including aspirin, can have serious and potentially fatal side effects if not taken properly. It's important to discuss these medicines with your doctor to decide whether they are the right treatment for your specific condition. If you are taking any of these medications, it's important that you don't stop taking them without consulting your doctor. Related AHA publications:
See also: Anticoagulants Aspirin in Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention Atherosclerosis Heart Attack Heart Attack Treatments Prevention, Secondary Stroke Stroke Treatment |
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