Medically reviewed on June 7, 2018
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor
Pharmacologic Class: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor
Uses For eptifibatide
Eptifibatide injection is used to prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries of the heart after certain types of chest pain and heart attacks. It may also be used in patients who are having certain heart and blood vessel procedures, such as coronary angioplasty.
Eptifibatide is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Before Using eptifibatide
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For eptifibatide, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to eptifibatide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of eptifibatide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of eptifibatide injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have bleeding problems, which may require caution in patients receiving eptifibatide injection.
|All Trimesters||B||Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.|
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving eptifibatide, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using eptifibatide with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using eptifibatide with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alipogene Tiparvovec
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Choline Salicylate
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Flufenamic Acid
- Mefenamic Acid
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Protein C
- Salicylic Acid
- Sodium Salicylate
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
Using eptifibatide with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Vitamin A
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of eptifibatide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Active bleeding (within the past 30 days) or
- Bleeding problems, history of or
- Dialysis patients or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), severe uncontrolled or
- Major surgery (within the past 6 weeks) or
- Stroke (within 30 days or history of hemorrhagic stroke)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
Proper Use of eptifibatide
A doctor or other trained health professional will give you eptifibatide. Eptifibatide is given through a needle placed into one of your veins.
You may also receive other medicines to help prevent harmful blood clots from forming, such as aspirin or heparin.
You will receive a continuous infusion of eptifibatide over a period of up to 4 days. During this time, you will be watched closely to make sure the medicine is working and is not causing unwanted side effects.
Precautions While Using eptifibatide
It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits after you leave the hospital for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by eptifibatide. Be sure to keep all appointments.
You may bleed and bruise more easily while you are using eptifibatide. Be extra careful to avoid injuries until the effects of the medicine have worn off. For some patients, this may take about 2 or 3 days. For other patients, it may take longer. Talk with your doctor about this.
Check with your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin. Avoid picking your nose. If you need to blow your nose, blow it gently.
You may be told to use a soft toothbrush or to shave with an electric razor (not a razor blade) for a few days after you have been given eptifibatide. This helps reduce the risk of bleeding.
Watch for any bleeding from open areas such as sites of needle punctures for drawing blood, giving shots, or putting in a catheter for a heart catheterization or angioplasty. Also check for blood in your urine or bowel movements. If you have any bleeding or injuries, tell your doctor right away.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Eptifibatide Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
- Abdominal or stomach pain or swelling
- back pain or backaches
- bleeding from the bladder
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- blurred vision
- coughing up blood
- difficulty with breathing or swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- headache, sudden and severe
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- nausea and vomiting
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- red or black, tarry stools
- red or dark brown urine
- severe stomach pain
- shortness of breath
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Pinpoint red spots on the skin
- difficulty with swallowing
- fast heartbeat
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- skin rash
- tightness in the chest
Incidence not known
- Difficulty with speaking
- double vision
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- slow speech
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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More about eptifibatide
- Eptifibatide Side Effects
- During Pregnancy
- Dosage Information
- Drug Interactions
- Pricing & Coupons
- En Español
- 1 Review
- Drug class: glycoprotein platelet inhibitors
Other brands: Integrilin