An antithrombotic agent is a drug that reduces the formation of blood clots (thrombi).[1][2] Antithrombotics can be used therapeutically for prevention (primary prevention, secondary prevention) or treatment of a dangerous blood clot (acute thrombus). In the U.S., the American College of Chest Physicians publishes clinical guidelines for clinicians for the use of these drugs to treat and prevent a variety of diseases.[citation needed]
Different antithrombotics affect different blood clotting processes:
Major chemical drug groups – based upon the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System | |
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gastrointestinal tract / metabolism (A) | |
blood and blood forming organs (B) | |
cardiovascular system (C) | |
skin (D) | |
genitourinary system (G) | |
endocrine system (H) | |
infections and infestations (J, P, QI) | |
malignant disease (L01–L02) | |
immune disease (L03–L04) | |
muscles, bones, and joints (M) | |
brain and nervous system (N) |
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respiratory system (R) | |
sensory organs (S) | |
other ATC (V) | |
Antiplatelet drugs | |||||||||||||
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Anticoagulants |
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Thrombolytic drugs/ fibrinolytics | |||||||||||||
Non-medicinal | |||||||||||||
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