Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Pharmacotherapy

Publication Date

Fall 10-1-2014

Volume

34

Abstract

Dual antiplatelet therapy, composed of aspirin plus a P2Y12 -receptor antagonist, is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A number of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved P2Y12 -receptor antagonists are available for treating patients with ACS, including the thienopyridine compounds clopidogrel and prasugrel. Ticagrelor, the first of a new class of antiplatelet agents, is a noncompetitive, direct-acting P2Y12 -receptor antagonist. Unlike the thienopyridine compounds, ticagrelor does not require metabolism for activity. Also, whereas clopidogrel and prasugrel are irreversible inhibitors of the P2Y12 receptor, ticagrelor binds reversibly to inhibit receptor signaling and subsequent platelet activation. In pharmacodynamic studies, ticagrelor demonstrated faster onset and more potent inhibition of platelet aggregation than clopidogrel. These properties of ticagrelor may contribute to reduced rates of thrombotic outcomes compared with clopidogrel, as demonstrated in a phase III clinical trial. However, in addition to bleeding, distinctive adverse effects of this new chemical entity have not been reported with the thienopyridine P2Y12 -receptor inhibitors. Although ticagrelor represents an advancement in P2Y12 -receptor inhibition therapy, a thorough understanding of this compound as an antiplatelet therapy remains to be elucidated.

MeSH Headings

Acute Coronary Syndrome, Adenosine, Animals, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists, Thrombosis, Treatment Outcome

ISSN

1875-9114

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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