Ticlopidine (T) is weakly active in vitro, but is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, thrombin, adrenaline, arachidonic acid, prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxide and thromboxane A2 with a sustained effect, when administered to a variety of animal species, including man. Platelets from treated animals were normal in ultrastructure and 14C-ADP binding was not modified by T. Basal PG synthesis was unaffected, whereas aspirin (A) had a marked inhibitory effect. Platelet cyclo-oxygenase and thromboxane synthetase activities were 90.6±12.9 and 96.1±5.3% of control following T treatment. In contrast to A, T had no effect on vascularprostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis, this being 1.4±0.1, 0.5±0.1 and 1.3±0. 3ng/mg wet weight aorta in T and A-treated and control animals respectively. Platelets from T-treated rats were significantly more responsive to inhibition by exogenous PGI2 (0.2-4 ng/ml) and PGE1 (4- 20 ng/ml). when compared with controls. T administration (30-300 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation (26.0- 87. 5%) and enhancement of platelet reactivity to PGI2 (37.0-159.8%). There was a good correlation between these parameters (r=+0.994). T is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregati on with a novel mode of action. It is not aspirin-like, but may act to potentiate endogenous PGI2 in vivo, possibly through an effect on platelet adenylate cyclase.