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Antiplatelet medicines: What They Do, Medicines

Also in: हिन्दी தமிழ் मराठी తెలుగు ಕನ್ನಡ বাংলা ગુજરાતી മലയാളം

Antiplatelet medicines make platelets, the blood cells that start a clot, less likely to clump together. They are used to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people with heart or blood vessel disease, and after a stent is placed in a heart artery. Examples include low-dose aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor. Because the blood clots less easily, the main side effect is bleeding.

Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.

How do Antiplatelet medicines work?

Platelets clump together to seal a damaged blood vessel, but inside a narrowed artery the same process can form a clot that blocks blood flow. Antiplatelet medicines block the signals platelets use to stick together: aspirin stops them making thromboxane A2, while clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor stop a chemical called ADP from switching them on.

Active ingredients of this type

These active ingredients belong to Antiplatelet medicines. They are listed A to Z.

  • Aspirin: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a medicine that, at a low daily dose, makes the blood less likely to clot.

Common questions

Are antiplatelets the same as anticoagulants?

No, although both are sometimes called blood thinners. Antiplatelets, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, stop platelets clumping. Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, rivaroxaban and apixaban, slow down the clotting proteins in the blood. Doctors choose between them, or sometimes use both, depending on the condition.

Why are two antiplatelet medicines sometimes prescribed together?

After a heart attack or a stent, doctors often prescribe aspirin together with clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor for a set time, to lower the risk of a clot. Bleeding is more likely with two, so the doctor decides how long both are needed. Do not stop either one without asking your doctor.

Sources

  1. ATC/DDD Index: B01AC Platelet aggregation inhibitors excl. heparin. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
  2. Aspirin 75 mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics (revised 31/01/2026). electronic medicines compendium (emc), UK (Dexcel Pharma Ltd)
  3. Plavix (clopidogrel): EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency
  4. Common questions about clopidogrel. NHS (UK)
  5. Aspirin: medicine for pain relief or preventing blood clots. NHS (UK)
  6. National Formulary of India. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission