In medicine, a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, also GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors, is class of antiplatelet agents.

Several GpIIb/IIIa inhibitors exist:

• abciximab (ReoPro^®)
• eptifibatide (Integrilin^®)
• tirofiban (Aggrastat^®)

Use

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Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are frequently used during percutaneous coronary interventions (angioplasty with or without intracoronary stent placement).

They work by preventing platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. They do so by inhibition of the GpIIb/IIIa receptor on the surface of the platelets.

History

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Their development arose from the understanding of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, a condition in which the GpIIb/IIIa is lacking.Seligsohn U. Glanzmann thrombasthenia: a model disease which paved the way to powerful therapeutic agents. Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb. 2002 Sep-Dec;32(5-6):216-7. PMID 13679645. Free Full Text.

Reference

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Pharmacologic agents | gpIIb/IIIa inhibitors