Anti-platelet Drugs

Question 1

What are anti-platelet drugs?

Answer 1

aspirin, clopidogrel and dipyridamole

Question 2

Explain what and how aspirin is used.

Answer 2

75mg daily - beneficial to pts with cardiovascular diseases - usually given for life
300mg STAT - beneficial in ischaemic events

Question 3

Explain the doses used in the prevention of WHICH conditions when clopidogrel is used?

Answer 3

STEMI - 75mg OD 1 month

NSTEMI - 75mg OD 12 months

Question 4

What is dipyridamole used for?

What preparations does it come in and what’s important about the type of preparation?

Answer 4

prophylaxis of thromboembolism associated with prosthetic heart valves

Comes in a M/R prep + aspirin - used after an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack

bottle expires 6 weeks one opened for M/R prep

Question 5

If a patient has an transient ischaemic attack, what are they initially given and then thereafter?

Answer 5

Alteplase
Given within 4.5 hours when symptoms are present

Then given aspirin 300mg OD, for 14 weeks then clopidogrel long term

Question 6

if a pt experiences a heart attack what should be the initial tx given?

Answer 6

Aspirin 300mg first

if not tolerated clopidogrel 75mg

Question 7

What are antifibrinolytic drugs?

Answer 7

Tranexamic acid - used to prevent bleeding (surgery, dental extraction, menorrhagia)
Prevent fibrinolysis

Streptokinase
Alteplase
Reteplase
Tenectaplase

Question 8

How do they work?

Answer 8

act as thrombolytics

activates plasminogen to form plasma which degrades fibrin so breaks up thrombi

Question 9

When can alteplase, reteplase and streptokinase be given?

Answer 9

within 12 hours ideally within 1 hour

Question 10

When should tenecteplase be given?

Answer 10

given ASAP usually within 6 hours

Question 11

What are streptokinase antibodies?

Answer 11

develop within 4 days, should not give after this time

Question 12

What are S/E of fibrinolytic drugs?

Answer 12

N/V and bleeding