Thienopyridine

Thienopyridine is a class of medicinal drugs used primarily as antiplatelet agents. These drugs are typically used to prevent blood clots and are often prescribed to patients with a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. The most commonly used drugs in this class are clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticlopidine.

Mechanism of Action

Thienopyridines work by inhibiting the platelet P2Y12 receptor, a key component in the process of platelet activation and aggregation. This inhibition prevents the formation of blood clots, reducing the risk of thrombosis and subsequent cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes.

Uses

Thienopyridines are primarily used in the prevention of thrombotic events in patients with a history of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, or stroke. They are also used in combination with aspirin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a procedure used to treat coronary heart disease.

Side Effects

Common side effects of thienopyridines include bleeding, bruising, and rash. In rare cases, these drugs can cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a serious blood disorder.

Drug Interactions

Thienopyridines can interact with several other medications, including other antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, and certain proton pump inhibitors. These interactions can increase the risk of bleeding or reduce the effectiveness of the thienopyridine.

See Also

• Antiplatelet drug
• P2Y12 receptor
• Blood clot
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke