Effect of etersalate on human platelet responsiveness. A study in healthy volunteers.

Ex vivo antiplatelet properties of 2-(p-acetamido-phenoxy)ethyl-o-acetoxybenzoate (etersalate, Daital) and its effects on serum thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) generation were studied in human volunteers at two levels of oral dosing. Etersalate inhibited at the lower dosage platelet function and decreased TXA2 levels, but PGI2 generation from rat aortic rings was stimulated when incubated with plasma from etersalate-treated donors. Blood coagulation parameters remained within normal values. It is suggested that etersalate administration could act on platelet arachidonate metabolism at a different level than that of the cyclooxygenase pathway.