what are antiplatelet agents

Antiplatelet agents are medications that block the formation of blood clots by preventing the clumping of platelets. There are three types of antiplatelet agents: aspirin, the thienopyridines, and the IIb/IIIa inhibitors. These agents differ in four ways: the way in which they prevent platelets from clumping, their potency (how strongly they prevent clumping), how rapidly they work, and their cost.