What is Eptifibatide?
Eptifibatide prevents platelets from sticking together in your blood and forming a clot. Certain heart or blood vessel problems can cause an unwanted blood clot.Eptifibatide prevents blood clots and heart attacks among people who have severe chest pain or are suffering from other conditions. It is also used in patients undergoing an angioplasty procedure (to open up blocked arteries).This medication guide does not list all possible uses of eptifibatide.
Side effects of Eptifibatide
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
If you:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Any bleeding that won't stop
- If you have a bleeding problem around an IV, catheter, or any other place on your body where a needle has punctured your skin,
- Red or pink urine
- Signs of stomach bleeding include bloody or tarry stool, vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
In older adults, the risk of bleeding is higher.
Side effects of eptifibatide include:
- Blood;
- Feeling lightheaded
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, aspirin, carvedilol, clopidogrel, and propranolol
Cautions
If you are taking similar medications, such as Abciximab, ReoPro, Tirofiban, and Aggrastat, then eptifibatide should be avoided.If you are suffering from a bleeding disorder or a blood-clotting problem, you should not take eptifibatide.Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking eptifibatide (aspirin) and if you plan to do so.
Prior to using this drug
If you have an allergy to EPTIFIBATIDE:
- Dialysis for kidney failure;
- High blood pressure that is uncontrolled or severe;
- A bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia
- If you've had a stroke or any other type of bleeding in the last 30 days,
- If you've had any kind of surgery, injury, or medical emergency in the last 6 weeks,
- If you are currently receiving or soon will be receiving treatment with similar medications, such as abciximab or tirofiban,
Tell your doctor if kidney disease is present.
Eptifibatide should not harm an unborn child. Aspirin may be given along with eptifibatide. This can cause bleeding if taken in the last three months of pregnancy. Aspirin may also have side effects on a newborn.It is unknown if eptifibatide can pass into breast milk or if it will harm a baby who is nursing. You should tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding a child.
How do I take Eptifibatide?
Eptifibatide can be injected through an IV into a vein. You will be given eptifibatide by a healthcare provider. Eptifibatide can be given continuously for up to four days.The medicine is given for the duration of the angioplasty and up to 24 hours afterwards.Sometimes, eptifibatide and aspirin are given together. Aspirin dosage and duration should be determined by your doctor.Your blood must be tested frequently to ensure that the medicine is working and not having any harmful effects.This medicine, which prevents your blood from clotting (coagulating), can make it easier to bleed even if you have a minor wound. If you experience bleeding that won't stop, contact your doctor.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You are unlikely to miss a dose of eptifibatide since it is administered by a medical professional.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid this
Avoid any activity that could increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Take extra precautions to avoid bleeding when shaving or brushing your teeth.
Before taking a nonsteroidal inflammatory drug (NSAID), consult your doctor. This includes NSAIDs for pain, arthritic, femoral, or swelling. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs are included. Using an NSAID along with eptifibatide can cause you to bleed or bruise easily.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop taking any of your current ones.
- NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and Indomethacin.
- A blood thinner: warfarin Coumadin Jantoven
- Any other medicine to treat or prevent blood clots: Plavix, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Ticlid, and others
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs, may interact with eptifibatide. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
