ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

Platelet function is regulated by three categories of substances

1. Agents    outside    the   platelet    that    interact   with        platelet    membrane      receptors,                   e.g. catecholamines, prostacyclin.
2. Agents generated within the platelets and interact with the membrane receptors, e.g. prostaglandin E₂ and serotonin.
3. Agents generated within the platelet and act within the platelet, e.g. thromboxane A₂ and calcium ions.

Antiplatelets act on any one of the above processes. They include aspirin, ticlopidine, dipyridamole.