Cangrelor
tetrasodium is a direct purinergic platelet receptor (P2Y12)
inhibitor that blocks ADP-induced platelet activation and
aggregation. The drug, which was developed by The
Medicine Company, binds reversibly to the P2Y12 receptor,
preventing further signaling and platelet activation. Cangrelor,
which was approved in June 2015 by the FDA, is indicated as
an adjunct to percutaneous coronary intervention for reducing
the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction, repeat
coronary revascularization, and stent thrombosis in patients
who have not been treated with a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor and
are not being given a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor. The
most common side effect observed with the drug was
bleeding.
