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Healtheuniversity > English > Cardiac College > Treat Heart Disease > Heart Medicines > Antiplatelets

Antiplatelets

Benefits

  • Lowers the chance that dangerous blood clots will form in your body and block your blood vessel or stent
  • Decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke

​​Action

  • Prevents the blood platelets (cells) from sticking together and forming clots

Potential Side Effects

  • Bruises
  • Bleeding longer or heavier with cuts or menstrual periods
  • Nausea (upset stomach)
  • Vertigo (a feeling of spinning or moving)
  • Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Blood in your pee (urine) or poo (stool)
  • Dark poo (stool) that looks like tar

Common Names

  • Acetylsalicylic acid, ASA (Aspirin®)
  • AClopidogrel (Plavix®)
  • APrasugrel (Effient®)
  • ATicagrelor (Brilinta®)
  • ATiclopidine (Ticlid®)

Last Reviewed: