Triflusal Explained

Iupac Name:2-acetyloxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid
Cas Number:322-79-2
Atc Prefix:B01
Atc Suffix:AC18
Pubchem:9458
Drugbank:DB08814
Unii:1Z0YFI05OO
Chembl:1332032
Chemspiderid:9086
C:10
H:7
F:3
O:4
Smiles:CC(=O)Oc1cc(ccc1C(=O)O)C(F)(F)F
Stdinchi:1S/C10H7F3O4/c1-5(14)17-8-4-6(10(11,12)13)2-3-7(8)9(15)16/h2-4H,1H3,(H,15,16)
Stdinchikey:RMWVZGDJPAKBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Triflusal is a platelet aggregation inhibitor that was discovered and developed in the Uriach Laboratories, and commercialised in Spain since 1981. Currently, it is available in 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. It is a derivative of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; Aspirin) in which a hydrogen atom on the benzene ring has been replaced by a trifluoromethyl group. Trade names include Disgren, Grendis, Aflen and Triflux.[1]

Triflusal has multiple mechanisms of action that contribute to the effect of the drug. It is a COX-1 inhibitor. It also inhibits the activation of nuclear factor k-B, which in turn regulates the expression of the mRNA of the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 needed for platelet aggregation. Additionally, Triflusal preserves vascular prostacyclin which yields an anti-platelet effect. Triflusal also blocks phosphodiesterase, increasing cAMP concentration as well as can increase nitric oxide synthesis in neutrophils.

Mechanism of action

Triflusal is a selective platelet antiaggregant through;

Indication

Triflusal is indicated for;

Prevention of stroke

In the 2008, guidelines for stroke management from the European Stroke Organization,[3] triflusal was for the first time recommended as lone therapy, as an alternative to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)(Aspirin) plus dipyridamole, or clopidogrel alone for secondary prevention of atherothrombotic stroke. This recommendation was based on the double-blind, randomised TACIP and TAPIRSS trials, which found triflusal to be as effective as Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA, which Triflusal is derived from) in preventing post-stroke vascular events, while having a more favourable safety profile.[4] [5] [6]

Pharmacokinetics

It is absorbed in the small intestine and its bio-availability ranges from 83% to 100%.[7] [8] The active metabolite of Triflusal is 2-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid, which is when Triflusal gets metabolized by an esterase.

Notes and References

  1. Murdoch D, Plosker GL . Triflusal: a review of its use in cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, and as thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation . Drugs . 66 . 5 . 671–92 . 2006 . 16620146 . 10.2165/00003495-200666050-00009 . 195684205 .
  2. Web site: PubChem. Triflusal. 2021-11-27. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. en.
  3. Web site: 2023-09-08 . Home - European Stroke Organisation . 2023-09-10 . en-GB.
  4. Matías-Guiu J, Ferro JM, Alvarez-Sabín J, Torres F, Jiménez MD, Lago A, Melo T . Comparison of triflusal and aspirin for prevention of vascular events in patients after cerebral infarction: the TACIP Study: a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial . Stroke . 34 . 4 . 840–8 . April 2003 . 12649515 . 10.1161/01.STR.0000063141.24491.50 . 1387069 . free .
  5. Culebras A, Rotta-Escalante R, Vila J, Domínguez R, Abiusi G, Famulari A, Rey R, Bauso-Tosselli L, Gori H, Ferrari J, Reich E . 6 . Triflusal vs aspirin for prevention of cerebral infarction: a randomized stroke study . Neurology . 62 . 7 . 1073–80 . April 2004 . 15079004 . 10.1212/01.wnl.0000113757.34662.aa . 9065395 .
  6. European Stroke Organisation (ESO) Executive Committee, ESO Writing Committee. . Guidelines for management of ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack 2008. . Cerebrovascular Diseases . 2008 . 25 . 5 . 457–507 . 10.1159/000131083 . free . 18477843 .
  7. Ramis J, Mis R, Conte L, Forn J . Rat and human plasma protein binding of the main metabolite of triflusal. . Eur J Pharmacol . 1990 . 183 . 5 . 1867–1868 . 10.1016/0014-2999(90)92202-T .
  8. Ramis J, Mis R, Forn J, Torrent J, Gorina E, Jané F . Pharmacokinetics of triflusal and its main metabolite HTB in healthy subjects following a single oral dose . European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics . 16 . 4 . 269–73 . 1991 . 1823870 . 10.1007/BF03189971 . 6287466 .