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Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are medicines used in treating patients
who have unstable angina, certain types of heart attacks, and in combination
with angioplasty with or without stent placement. They are given in combination
with heparin or aspirin (blood-thinning agents) to prevent clotting before and
during invasive heart procedures.
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are classified as potent platelet
inhibitors. These agents are used to prevent platelets from binding together,
which can occur in patients with heart attacks and after angioplasty with or
without stent placement.
The following list identifies specific glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and
their brand names:
- Abciximab (ReoPro)
- Eptifibatide (Integrilin)
- Tirofiban (Aggrastat)
How are glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors given?
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are not available in prescription form. They
are given only under the supervision of a doctor, through an intravenous
injection or IV infusion during hospitalization.
Who is eligible to receive this medicine?
Patients with an acute coronary syndrome, such as unstable angina or certain
kinds of heart attacks, are eligible to receive one of these agents. Other
eligible patients include those undergoing coronary angioplasty with or without stent placement.
Patients who do not have low platelet counts and who are not at high risk for
severe bleeding might be good candidates for the glycoprotein inhibitors. Patients
with active internal bleeding should not take glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Your doctor will consider how this medicine will likely affect you before
prescribing it. Your doctor will only prescribe glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
if the benefits outweigh the risks.
What are the side effects?
As with any medicine, an allergic reaction might occur, but the most common
side effect of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors is bleeding. Before, during, and
after this medicine is taken, patients should have blood tests that indicate
platelet count and clotting time of the blood.
Clotting tests might include:
- Prothrombin time (PT)
- International normalization ratio (INR)
- Activated clotting time (ACT)
- Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
Bleeding due to this medicine can occur anywhere in the body, but usually
occurs around incision areas, mucous membranes (ie. nose), the urinary tract,
and the stomach. In rare cases, patients might require blood transfusions if they
develop an unusually low amount of red blood cells.
This medicine is given in the hospital, and patients are
closely monitored so that any possible side effects might be treated promptly.
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