Description: Prasugrel is an antiplatelet medication. It is a thienopyridine prodrug, meaning it is converted into its active form in the body. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from clumping together and forming blood clots.

Indication: Prasugrel is used in conjunction with aspirin to reduce the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) who are undergoing a heart procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Mechanism of Action: Prasugrel is a selective and irreversible antagonist of the P2Y$_{12}$ class of ADP receptors on the surface of platelets. When its active metabolite binds to these receptors, it blocks the binding of adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which is a key substance that promotes platelet activation and aggregation. This irreversible binding prevents platelets from activating and aggregating for their entire lifespan (about 7-10 days).