Compositions for inhibiting platelet aggregation

An oral pharmaceutical composition is prepared from (3(R)-[2-(piperidin-4-yl)ethyl]-2-piperidone-1] acetyl-3(R)-methyl-#-alanine, or a suitable salt thereof, and a polymeric binder and an excipient. The binder is preferably pre-gelatinized starch, but may also be a natural or synthetic gum (e.g. acacia). The composition may contain between 1-50%, but more preferably 20-30%, of the active agent, [3(R)-[2-(piperidin-4-yl) ethyl]-2-piperidone-llacetyl-3(R)-methyl-#-alanine, and between 5-99% of the binder, but more preferably 25-50%. The remaining portion of the composition (20-55%) may be any of a variety of excipients such as lactose, microcrystalline cellulose etc. A method is described for forming tablets from lubricated granules prepared using the pharmaceutical composition and the composition is used in a medicament suitable for the inhibition of fibrinogen binding to the platelet membrane glycoprotein complex IIb/IIIa receptor thus preventing thrombosis, thromboembolism, reocclusion and myocardial infarction.