Heart Disease and Antiplatelet Drugs
Antiplatelet drugs are used to treat heart disease. They are a group of powerful medications that prevent the formation of blood clots. When you are wounded, platelets arrive on the scene and group together, forming a blood clot that stops the bleeding. When an injury involves a break in your skin, this is a good thing. But platelets can also aggregate when injury to a blood vessel occurs from within the inside, as may happen in an artery affected by atherosclerosis. In this situation, the platelets cause blood clots to develop in an already injured artery. Antiplatelet medications can prevent this process from happening.
Why Are Antiplatelets Used?
Antiplatelets may be prescribed for patients with a history of:
Antiplatelets are also used:
How Are Antiplatelets Taken?
Antiplatelets are pills that are usually taken once or twice a day. They should not be taken on an empty stomach.
Before this medication is prescribed, tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
People with bleeding problems, ulcers, or those who are planning to undergo surgery, including dental surgery, should talk to their doctor before taking these drugs, as they may cause excessive bleeding.
You should not stop taking your antiplatelet drug unless advised by your doctor.
These drugs may need to be taken for the rest of your life, depending on your condition. You may need to undergo regular blood tests to monitor your medication dosage. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to the medication can be checked.
While taking these antiplatelets, ask your doctor what medicines you may take for pain relief or minor colds. Read the labels of other pain relievers and cold products to make sure they are aspirin-free. Medicines containing aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause bleeding problems when taken along with antiplatelet drugs.
Before any surgery, dental procedure, or emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. You might need to stop taking it for five to seven days before dental work or surgery. However, do not stop taking this medicine without first consulting with your doctor.
Use caution during activities requiring alertness (such as driving a car) until you know how this drug affects you.