Eptifibatide injection

What is eptifibatide injection?

EPTIFIBATIDE (Integrilin®) prevents your blood from clotting during episodes of chest pain or a heart attack, or while you are undergoing a procedure to treat a blocked coronary artery. Generic eptifibatide injection is not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive eptifibatide?

Your prescriber or health care professional needs to know if you have any of the following conditions:

• if you are taking a blood thinner such as Coumadin® or any medicines that affect platelets such as aspirin, ticlopidine, or clopidogrel

• bleeding disorders or blood problems

• brain tumor or aneurysm

• high blood pressure

• kidney disease

• stomach ulcers

• recent injury or surgery

• previous stroke

• weight of under 110 pounds

• an unusual or allergic reaction to eptifibatide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Eptifibatide is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with eptifibatide?

• anagrelide

• agents that treat or prevent blood clots (e.g., heparin, warfarin)

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen)

• aspirin

• cilostazol

• clopidogrel

• dipyridamole

• herbal products containing feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, or horse chestnut

• ticlopidine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking eptifibatide?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving eptifibatide.

What side effects may I notice from receiving eptifibatide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• signs of bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• back pain

• coughing up blood

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness or fainting spells

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• pain at the site of injection

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will only receive eptifibatide in a hospital setting.