Ticlopidine hydrochloride: relationship between dose, kinetics, plasma concentration and effect on platelet function.

This is a review of the available data about the pharmacodynamic profile of ticlopidine in man in relation to its pharmacokinetic and metabolic characteristics. There is a rapid dose-dependent onset of effect on platelet function and a time-dependent effect on bleeding. The ticlopidine effect appears to be due to the direct action on circulating platelets. The contributions of a metabolite, a 2-keto derivative, is also discussed.