Eptifibatide is used together with other medicines (aspirin and heparin) in the management of unstable chest pains and to prevent complications in patients undergoing angioplasty, a non-surgical procedure used to treat the narrowed arteries of the heart.
This medicine may also be used to reduce the risk of heart attacks in patients with unstable chest pains.
Eptifibatide injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein). It is delivered directly into the bloodstream via the blood vessel.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have the following:
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
- current or recent internal bleeding (blood loss inside the body)
- history of stroke
- blood clotting disorders e.g. thrombocytopenia
- major surgery or trauma
- brain tumor
- abnormal connection between arteries and veins
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- inflammation of the blood vessels
as Eptifibatide may not be suitable for you.
Do not use Eptifibatide with other blood thinning medicines. Please see section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have low weight.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
While being treated with Eptifibatide, your doctor will need to do routine blood tests to monitor your condition and check your response to this medicine.
Eptifibatide may cause include any of the following side effects: bleeding (e.g. blood in urine, blood in stool, vomiting blood), fast or irregular heartbeat, and pain at the injection sites.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- prolonged bleeding from cuts, excessive bruising
- chest pains, fainting or sudden collapse
- skin rash, breathlessness
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not use Eptifibatide with similar blood thinning medicines (e.g abciximab, tirofiban).
Inform your doctor if you are taking medicines used to eliminate or reduce the risk of blood clots e.g. aspirin, dipyridamole.
Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics, such as traditional Chinese medicine supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Avoid alcohol.
How should this medicine be stored?
This medicine must be stored in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Medicine must not be used past the expiry date.
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