Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies

This channel includes news and new technology innovations for cardiovascular pharmaceutics. This includes antiplatelet agents, anticoagulation drugs, international normalized ratio (INR) testing, oral anticoagulants, IV administered drugs such as Heprin, and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The most commonly used anticoagulant is warfarin, which available in generic form at a low cost. However, it has a narrow therapeutic window and its effectiveness is altered by food containing vitamin K. To regulate warfarin, regular INR testing is needed. The newer anticoagulation drugs are referred to as novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC). However, since some of these drugs are now more than six years old, they are commonly referred to as non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC), and the newest term, direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). NOAC or DOAC agents have much larger therapeutic windows, do not require INR testing. Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) are the most commonly used antiplatelet agents for the prevention of heart attacks and stroke. They are often prescribed together as DAPT.