Coagulants and Anticoagulants
Coagulants and Anticoagulants
Coagulants and Anticoagulants
COAGULANTS
Coagulants are the drugs that promote coagulation and control bleeding. They are also called
hemostatic agents.
Vitamin K
ANTICOAGULANTS
Anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, are chemical substances that prevent or
reduce coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting time. They inhibit specific pathways of the
coagulation cascade, which happens after the initial platelet aggregation and ultimately leads to
formation of fibrin and stable aggregated platelet products.
Classification of anticoagulants
1. In vitro anticoagulants: eg: Heparin, Sodium oxalate, Sodium citrate, Sodium edetate
2. In vivo anticoagulants:
i). Injectable: Heparin
ii) Oral:
a) Coumarin derivatives – Warfarin
b) Indandiones – Phenindione, Anisindione
Coumarins (Vitamin K antagonists)
Platelet aggregation inhibitors
An antiplatelet drug (antiaggregant), also known as platelet aggregation inhibitor is a drug that
decrease platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombus formation. They are effective in the arterial
circulation where anticoagulants have little effect.
They are widely used in primary and secondary prevention of thrombotic cerebrovascular or
cardiovascular disease.
Drugs include:
- Clopidogrel
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Prasugrel
Synthesis