4 Antiplatelet Drugs Free Online FlashCards

How do antiplatelet drugs differ from anticoagulants?

Antiplatelet drugs reduce platelet activation or aggregation and help prevent arterial clots. Anticoagulants instead act on the blood-clotting cascade.

How does aspirin reduce platelet aggregation?

Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet COX-1, reducing thromboxane A₂ production and platelet aggregation. Its effect lasts for the affected platelet’s lifespan because platelets cannot make new COX-1.

What are important adverse effects of aspirin?

Important adverse effects include gastrointestinal irritation, ulceration, and bleeding; hypersensitivity reactions can also occur.

What drugs usually make up dual antiplatelet therapy?

Dual antiplatelet therapy usually combines aspirin with an oral P2Y₁₂ inhibitor, such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor.

How do clopidogrel and prasugrel differ from ticagrelor at P2Y₁₂?

Clopidogrel and prasugrel are prodrugs that irreversibly inhibit P2Y₁₂; ticagrelor directly and reversibly inhibits the receptor.

Which two medicines can reduce clopidogrel’s antiplatelet activity?

Clopidogrel activation partly depends on CYP2C19. Omeprazole and esomeprazole can reduce its antiplatelet activity, and the FDA label advises avoiding that combination.

Which neurological history contraindicates prasugrel?

A prior stroke or transient ischemic attack is a contraindication to prasugrel. Active pathological bleeding is also a contraindication.

What respiratory adverse effect is associated with ticagrelor?

Ticagrelor-associated dyspnea is a recognized adverse effect. New or severe shortness of breath still requires clinical assessment rather than automatic attribution to the drug.

What is a common use of aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole?

Aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole is used to reduce recurrent stroke risk after selected ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attacks.

What symptom can cilostazol help reduce in peripheral arterial disease?

Cilostazol can reduce symptoms of intermittent claudication in peripheral arterial disease.

When is cilostazol contraindicated?

Cilostazol is contraindicated in heart failure of any severity.

What platelet process do glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors block?

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors block the final common pathway of platelet aggregation. These intravenous agents can cause bleeding and thrombocytopenia.