ADP receptor-blocker thienopyridines: chemical structures, mode of action and clinical use. A review.

One of the major classes of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonists are thienopyridines. Thienopyridines compose a subcategory of antiplatelet medications, known as ADP receptor inhibitors, used commonly for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Thienopyridines, including ticlopidine, clopidogrel and prasugrel, are prodrugs administered orally that are further metabolized by hepatocytes to create active metabolites that irreversibly bind ADP receptors located on the platelet membrane.

Chemical structures and mode of action of intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockers: A review.

Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists compose a subcategory of antiplatelet medications that reduce thrombus formation through the blockade of key binding sites needed to stabilize the forming platelet aggregate. The GP IIb/IIIa receptors have been identified as a therapeutic target in reducing the occurrence of platelet-dependent thrombus formation. One advantage of GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists is that because GP IIb/IIIa is platelet-specific, inhibition of this receptor does not affect platelet adhesion.