An antiplatelet drug is a member of a class of pharmaceuticals that decreases platelet aggregation and inhibits thrombus formation. They are effective in the arterial circulation, where anticoagulants have little effect.

They are widely used in primary and secondary prevention of thrombotic cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disease.

The most important antiplatelet drugs are :

• cyclooxygenase inhibitor s
  • aspirin
• adenosine diphosphate receptor inhibitor s
  • clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • ticlopidine (Ticlid)
• phosphodiesterase inhibitors
  • cilostazol (Pletal)
• glycoptrotein IIB/IIIA inhibitor s (intravenous use only)
  • abciximab (ReoPro)
  • eptifibatide (Integrilin)
  • tirofiban (Aggrastat)
• adenosine reuptake inhibitor s
  • dipyridamole (Persantine)

See also: anticoagulant drug, thrombolytic drug