Tirofiban

What Is Tirofiban?

Tirofiban keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Tirofiban is used to prevent blood clots or heart attack in people with severe chest pain or other conditions, and in those who are undergoing a procedure called angioplasty (to open blocked arteries).
Tirofiban may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not receive this medication 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.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to tirofiban, 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.

To make sure tirofiban is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category B. Tirofiban is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment, especially if you are also taking aspirin.
It is not known whether tirofiban passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Tirofiban Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these 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 on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines. Call your doctor at once 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 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.

Tirofiban Interactions

Avoid taking aspirin or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) without your doctor's advice. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Taking any of these medicines during or shortly after your 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 medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with tirofiban, especially other medications to prevent or treat blood clots such as:

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

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tirofiban, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Tirofiban Dosage

Tirofiban is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
While using tirofiban, you may need frequent blood tests.
Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
Because you will receive tirofiban in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.