College Answer

Platelets are small cells in blood, approximately 150,000 – 300,000 / microliter of blood with a 
half life of approximately 4 days. They have important membrane receptors (for collagen, vWF 
and fibrinogen) and intracellular contents (Actin, Myosin, Glycogen, Lysosomes, Dense granules, 
Alpha granules) and are involved in forming a platelet plug and clotting. Common omissions were 
to not give a normal platelet count or half life. Diagrams of the clotting cascade were not required. 
Clopidogrel is an oral, thienopyridine class antiplatelet agent (a prodrug activated in the liver by 
cytochrome P450 enzymes), used to inhibit blood clots in coronary artery disease, following stent 
placement, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Mechanism of action is: 
specifically and irreversibly inhibits the P2Y12 subtype of ADP receptor, which is important in 
aggregation of platelets and cross-linking by the protein fibrin and thus platelet aggregation, 
which is inhibited when binding blocks activation of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa pathway. Elimination 
half-life of about 8 hours; rapidly absorbed after oral administration; undergoes rapid hydrolysis in 
liver and renal excretion; 95% protein bound. Important interactions/precautions include proton 
pump inhibitors, phenytoin, warfarin, heparin, danaparoid, enoxaparin and various thrombolytics. 
Greatest risk is bleeding. The best answers had a structured approach to describing a drug.