What is eptifibatide?
Eptifibatide keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Eptifibatide is used to prevent blood clots or heart attack in people with severe chest pain or other conditions, and in those who are undergoing a procedure called angioplasty (to open blocked arteries).
Eptifibatide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about eptifibatide?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to eptifibatide, if you have or will soon receive treatment with similar medications such as abciximab (ReoPro) or tirofiban (Aggrastat).
You should not receive this medication if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, if you are on dialysis due to kidney failure, history of a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, if you had a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days, or if you had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks.
Eptifibatide is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with eptifibatide, and aspirin can cause bleeding when it is taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Aspirin can also cause side effects in a newborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with eptifibatide and aspirin.
Because eptifibatide keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving eptifibatide?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to eptifibatide, if you have or will soon receive treatment with similar medications such as abciximab (ReoPro) or tirofiban (Aggrastat), or if you have:
kidney failure and you are on dialysis;
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
history of a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia;
if you have had a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days; or
if you have had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks.
To make sure you can safely receive eptifibatide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
FDA Pregnancy Category B. Eptifibatide is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with eptifibatide, and aspirin can cause bleeding when it is taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Aspirin can also cause side effects in a newborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether eptifibatide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.