DOSAGE FREQUENCY FOR SUPPRESSION OF PLATELET-FUNCTION BY LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN THERAPY

A study of platelet aggregation and MDA [malondialdehyde] production after an oral dose of 300 mg aspirin indicated that partial recovery of platelet function occurred when .apprx. 1/3 of the circulating platelets were replaced by new (uninhibited) platelets. In vitro studies on mixtures of normal and aspirin-inhibited platelets indicated partial restoration of platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 production with as little as 10% of normal platelets in some subjects. Restoration of full function required a higher proportion of normal platelets. There was considerable variation between subjects. Complete suppression of platelet functions in all normal subjects apparently requires daily administration of the drug.