Comparative study of triflusal and ticlopidine on anti-platelet aggregatory effect and side effects

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Platelet aggregation plays an important role in thrombogenesis. Thus antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin and ticlopidine, have been in usage to prevent for recurrent ischemic stroke. Triflusal is known to selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase in platelet rather than in vessel wall. And thus can be more beneficial in its antiplatelet aggregatory effect. There has been no comparative study between triflusal and ticlopidine on its antiplatelet aggregatory effect and side effects till now. Our comparative study between these two agents is to provide useful information on clinical utilization. METHODS: Triflusal(900mg/day) and ticlopidine(500mg/day) were administered in 31 and 37 patients, who suffered from acute ischemic stroke. Their efficacy in platelet aggregation and the incidence of clinical and laboratory side effects were compared in one week and one month after the administration of the drugs. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation was more effectively inhibited in triflusal group, especially induced by collagen or epinephrine(p<0.01). No significant difference was noted in the incidence of side effects in both groups. In five patients of the ticlopidine group, the drug was withdrawn due to skin rash and/or increased liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: Triflusal had more effectively inhibited platelet aggregation in this study. Severe side effects even requiring discontinuation of the drug were noted in five patients of ticlopidine group.