Aggrastat

Drugs

Generic Name: Tirofiban hydrochloride
Product Name: Aggrastat

Indication of Aggrastat
Action of Aggrastat
Dose advice of Aggrastat
Schedule of Aggrastat
Common side effects of Aggrastat
Uncommon side effects of Aggrastat
Reference

Indication of Aggrastat:

Aggrastat is a medication used to prevent complications that may occur in people who have unstable angina or are having a heart attack.

^ top

Action of Aggrastat:

Aggrastat belongs to a group of medicines called platelet aggregation inhibitors. It works by preventing cells in the blood, called platelets, from sticking together to form blood clots. If blood clots are not treated or prevented, they can block blood vessels. This can lead to complications such as angina or heart attacks.

^ top

Dose advice of Aggrastat:

Dose information:

Aggrastat is given as a slow injection into a vein by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor will decide what dose and how long you will receive Aggrastat, depending on your condition and other factors, such as your weight and kidney function.

Contraindications:

You must not be given Aggrastat if you have an allergy to Aggrastat or have any of the following medical conditions:

bleeding inside your body, or a history of increased tendency to bleeding, especially within the last 30 days
a history of bleeding in the brain or brain tumour
a history of abnormal or deformed arteries or veins
a history of swelling and weakening of a part of a blood vessel
a history of stroke within the last 30 days, or any history of stroke due to bleeding in the brain
major surgery or physical trauma within the last month
a history, symptoms or signs of aortic dissection
severe, uncontrolled high blood pressure
pericarditis

Precautions:

Before you are given Aggrastat, you must tell your doctor if you

are already receiving an injection of another medicine used to dissolve or prevent blood clots
are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
are pregnant
have any bleeding problems within the last year
have blood clotting problems or platelet diseases
have stroke within the last year
have kidney problem
have received platelet aggregation inhibitors before
recently had an spinal procedure
are taking other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop

Use in pregnancy (Category B1):

Aggrastat is generally not recommended during pregnancy. However, if there is a need to consider using Aggrastat during pregnancy, your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits to you and your unborn baby.

Lactation:

Aggrastat is not recommended for use while breast-feeding. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk.

^ top

Schedule of Aggrastat:

Aggrastat is Schedule 4.

^ top

Common side effects of Aggrastat:

All medicines have side effects. Most commonly the side effects are minor, however some can be more serious. Usually the benefits of taking a medication outweigh the associated side effects. Your doctor would have considered these side effects before starting you on Aggrastat.

Common side effects are those which occur in more than 1% of patients given Aggrastat. These include:

fever
nausea
headache

^ top

Uncommon side effects of Aggrastat:

Side effects which occur in less than 1% of patients given Aggrastat are considered uncommon. Patients do not necessarily experience any of these side effects, so do not become alarmed by this list:

unusual bleeding (including bleeding gums, nose bleeds, blood in your urine, bloody or black, tarry stools, coughing up blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds) or bruising
rash
hives
swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat
chills, dizziness, or wheezing

If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms which appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

^ top

Reference:

Australian Medicines Handbook. Aggrastat. January 2008 [cited 2008
July 10]. Available from URL: http://amh.hcn.net.au
MIMS Online. Aggrastat. 19 January 2001 [cited 2008 July 10]. Available from: URL: http://mims.hcn.net.au

^ top

For further information talk to your doctor.