Tirofiban

Tirofiban is used to stop blood clots or heart attack in people with severe chest pain or other conditions, and in those having a procedure called angioplasty (to open blocked arteries).

Tirofiban may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Tirofiban is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

While using tirofiban, you may need frequent blood tests.

You should not receive tirofiban if you have any active internal bleeding (stomach, intestines, etc.), a history of bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, if you have ever had low blood platelets after being treated with tirofiban, or if you have had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency in the past 30 days.

You should not be treated with tirofiban if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• any active internal bleeding (stomach, intestines, etc);
• a history of bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
• if you have ever had low blood platelets after being treated with tirofiban; or
• if you have had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 30 days.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment, especially if you are also taking aspirin.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tirofiban increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have:

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
• bleeding around your IV or catheter; or
• any bleeding that will not stop.

You may also have bleeding inside your body, such as in your stomach or intestines. Call your doctor right away if you have bloody or tarry stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract.

Common side effects of tirofiban may include:

• dizziness;
• slow heart rate;
• leg pain, pelvic pain; or
• swelling, increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Acute Coronary Syndrome:

Initial dose: 25 mcg/kg IV within 5 minutesMaintenance dose: 0.15 mcg/kg/min IV infusion for up to 18 hoursUse: To reduce the rate of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

Because you will get tirofiban in a clinical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID during or shortly after treatment with tirofiban may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Avoid drinking alcohol while receiving tirofiban. Alcohol may increase your risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

Tell your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking, especially:

• clopidogrel, ticlopidine,
• dalteparin, enoxaparin, tinzaparin;
• desirudin, dabigatran, fondaparinux.
• dipyridamole; or
• warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect tirofiban, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.