Which statement about aspirin and clopidogrel is true?

• A. They are anticoagulants
• B. They are antiplatelet agents
• C. They are thrombolytics
• D. They are both anticoagulants and antiplatelets

Answer: (B)

A key idea is that these drugs target platelets, not the coagulation cascade. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 in platelets, which lowers thromboxane A2 production and reduces platelet aggregation. Clopidogrel blocks the P2Y12 ADP receptor on platelets, preventing ADP-mediated platelet activation and aggregation. Together, they act as antiplatelet agents to prevent arterial thrombosis, such as in acute coronary syndromes or after stent placement. They are not anticoagulants (which affect clotting factors) and not thrombolytics (which dissolve clots). So the true statement is that they are antiplatelet agents.