Week 7 - Antiplatelets and Thrombolytics

Question 1

What is the MOA of aspirin? (2)

Answer 1

• suppresses platelets clumping together by inhibiting COX.
• Platelets need COX to synthesize TXA, a factor that makes platelets aggregate together

Question 2

How long does aspirin work?

Answer 2

• irreversibly inhibits COX, so one single dose will inhibit platelet aggregation for 7-10 days

Question 3

What are the routes of administration for aspirin?

Answer 3

• PO

Question 4

What should assess before administering aspirin?

Answer 4

• assess ASA use before procedures that may cause bleeding (surgery)

Question 5

When is aspirin used?

Answer 5

• used to reduce clots that may cause stroke or myocardial infarction

Question 6

What are the side and adverse effects of aspirin?

Answer 6

• increased risk of bleeding, GI bleeding, stomach ulcers

Question 7

What is a “baby dose” when it comes to aspirin? (2)

Answer 7

81 mg as a preventative measure
- fi risk of heart attack or stroke

Question 8

What is the MOA of Clopidogrel, an antiplatelet?

Answer 8

• Stops platelets from aggregating by blocking receptors on surface of platelets

Question 9

How long does the effect of clopidogrel last? (2)

Answer 9

• Irreversible binding like ASA, so effect lasts the life of the platelet (7-10 days)
• platelet aggregation is reduced by 40-60%

Question 10

What is the route of administration for clopidogrel?

Answer 10

PO and then liver converts it into active form

Question 11

When is clopidogrel used?

Answer 11

• to prevent clots, specifically in clients who are prone to clots in the heart’s arteries

Question 12

What are the side and adverse effects of clopidogrel? (4)

Answer 12

• abdominal cramping
• heartburn
• diarrhea
• risk for bleeding

you give a lot if someone has a heart attack

Question 13

What is tPA? (3)

Answer 13

• tPA = tissue pasminogen activator
• this a a substance normally in our body that is used to break down old clots that have done their job after healing has occured
• we give it here as a medication

Question 14

How does alteplase work? (3)

Answer 14

• break down clotting factors and the fibrin that holds thrombi together
• lyses clots that are already formed
• Also called fibronolytics and “clot busters”

Question 15

In what instances is alteplase used?

Answer 15

• only used to treat life threatening clots in the brain (stroke), heart (MI), or lungs (PE)

Question 16

What is the route of admin for alteplase?

Answer 16

IV, short action

Question 17

What are the side and adverse effects of alteplase? (2)

Answer 17

• can cause severe bleeding
• cannot form new clots

Question 18

What do all these drugs have in common? diagram

Answer 18