Word parts
What it means
Antiplatelets are used to prevent heart attacks and strokes and to keep stents open. Members include aspirinAS-prinA drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation and makes platelets less sticky so blood clots less easily.Full entry , clopidogrelkloh-PID-oh-grelAn antiplatelet drug that keeps platelets from clumping together to form clots.Full entry , prasugrel and ticagrelor; IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors such as eptifibatide are used in hospitals. They work on plateletPLAYT-litA tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.Full entry s, while anticoagulants work on clotting factors.
For the nurse
The main risk is bleeding: teach clients to watch for black stools, blood in the urine and easy bruising and to tell every provider and dentist about the drug. They are often stopped several days before planned surgery, but only on the prescriber's order. ISMP lists IV glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors as high-alert medications.
At a glance
| Spanish | antiagregante plaquetario |
|---|---|
| Also written | antiplatelets, antiplatelet agent, antiplatelet agents, platelet aggregation inhibitor, platelet aggregation inhibitors |
Related terms
platelet
A tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
aspirin
A drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation and makes platelets less sticky so blood clots less easily.
clopidogrel
An antiplatelet drug that keeps platelets from clumping together to form clots.