Figure 3.

Mechanism of action of common antiplatelet drugs. Platelet surface receptors play a major role in activation, adhesion and aggregation events. Drugs targeting the receptors—PAR 1, P₂Y₁₂ and GP IIb/IIIa receptors—have potent antiplatelet implications. Some of the drugs targeting receptors are shown in the figure. Aspirin, a widely prescribed antiplatelet drug, acts by inhibiting the COX 1 enzyme required for the conversion of arachidonic acid to TxA₂.PAR 1: protease-activated receptor 1; P₂Y₁₂: purinergic G protein-coupled receptor; COX 1: cyclooxygenase 1; TxA₂: thromboxane A₂. (Figure courtesy of biorender.com).