Outline the mechanisms of action of anti-platelet drugs. (50% of marks) Briefly describe the mechanism of action, and pharmacokinetics of aspirin, in relation to its use as an anti-platelet drug. (50% of marks).
Candidates should take note of how marks are apportioned to multi part questions and to avoid rewriting the same point more than twice. Generally there was a lack of sufficient breadth in knowledge in responses given for mechanism of action of anti-platelet drugs and sufficient depth of knowledge in relation to aspirin, in particular aspirin pharmacokinetics.
In response, one might comment that if the examiners did not expect to see the same point twice, they should have asked two separate different questions.
Mechanisms of action of antiplatelet agents:
Aspirin:
Class | Antiplatelet agent |
Chemistry | Aromatic acetate |
Routes of administration | Oral |
Absorption | Oral bioavailability 50% due to first pass effect(but, well absorbed) |
Solubility | pKa 2.97; only slighly water-soluble |
Distribution | VOD=0.1-0.2 L/kg; 58% protein-bound |
Target receptor | COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms of the cycloxygenase enzyme |
Metabolism | 80% is metabolised in the liver; active metabolite (salicylic acid) is responsible for much of the analgesic and antiinflammatory effect, but has little antiplatelet activity. |
Elimination | Salicylic acid is eliminated in the urine; renal clearance of aspirin itself becomes more important with overdose |
Time course of action | Aspirin half life is only 20 minutes; half-life of salicylic acid can range from 2 to 12 hours, depending on the dose. Clinical effect duration: 96 hours |
Mechanism of action | By inhibiting the activity of COX-1 isoenzyme, aspirin decreases the synthesis of trhomboxane-A2, which is a potent platelet activator. The result is a decrease in platelet activation and aggregation. This inhibition is irreversible (acetylation) |
Clinical effects | COX-1 inhibitor and nonselective NSAID side effects: GI ulceration (decreased gastric mucosal pH and mucus synthesis) Acute kidney injury (microvascular renal dysfunction) COX-2 inhibitor side effects: Anti-inflammatory activity is mainly due to COX-2 inhibition Prothrombotic side effects are due to COX-2 inhibition CCF exacerbation and hypertension. Also the possibility of causing brinchospasm in asthmatics |
Single best reference for further information | Nagelschmitz et al, 2014 |
Nagelschmitz, J., et al. "Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of acetylsalicylic acid after intravenous and oral administration to healthy volunteers." Clinical pharmacology: advances and applications 6 (2014): 51.
Patrono, Carlo. "Aspirin as an antiplatelet drug." New England Journal of Medicine 330.18 (1994): 1287-1294.
Li, Chunjian, et al. "Reversal of the anti‐platelet effects of aspirin and clopidogrel." Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis 10.4 (2012): 521-528.