Antiplatelet drugs overview

Platelets are essential factor in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis, abnormal platelet function guiding to many cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. There are numerous antiplatelet drugs approved for use in the clinical management and several under examination. Antiplatelet drugs with the high potency are mostly associated with the intensifying incidence of bleeding. Aspirin and clopidogrel (alone or dual) are the mostly used drugs with the best favorable risk-benefit profiles of drugs available. While cangrelor and ticagrelor may produce further benefits but need more studies .Other drugs such as prasugrel, dipyridamole and cilostazol are not widely used.