Pharmacological Properties Of Drugs Inhibiting Platelet Aggregation

SummaryThe pharmacological properties of drugs inhibiting platelet function have been reviewed. Some of the problems arising in experimentation of potentially useful substances have also been discussed. Animal species, anticoagulants, plasma proteins and drug disposition are the main factors influencing platelet function tests. Clinically useful drugs inhibit platelet function by either increasing the levels of platelet cyclic AMP (PGE1, dipyridamole, pyrimido-pyrimidine compounds) or inhibiting the platelet biosynthesis of one or more intermediates appearing during the formation of PGE2 and PGF2α from arachidonate (aspirin, indomethacin). Possibly the two mechanisms are interrelated in some way. Knowledge of the biochemical pathways underlying platelet function, should result in the development of more potent and more selective agents, potentially useful as antithrombotic drugs.