Eptifibatide

Indications

• • reduces the risk of acute cardiac ischemic events (death and/or myocardial infarction)

    • in patients with unstable angina or non-ST-segment-elevation (e.g., non-Q-wave) myocardial infarction (i.e., non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes)

Administration/Absorption

• • always applied together with aspirin or clopidogrel and (low molecular weight or unfractionated) heparin

Dosage

Distribution

Mechanism

• • antiplatelet drug of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor class

  • reversibly binds to platelets

Excretion

Side effects

Interactions

Contraindications

• • Thrombocytopenia : The drug is contraindicated in patients with platelet counts of less than 100,000 per μl because no clinical experience exists regarding such patients.

  • Renal insufficiency : Eptifibatide undergoes renal elimination. In such patients with renal insufficiency where a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor is likely to provide benefit, Abciximab (trade name: Reopro) is an alternative medication.

  • Current bleeding tendencies or abnormally prolonged coagulation parameters observed within 30 days before starting therapy with eptifibatide is intended.

  • Coagulation parameters such as ACT, aPTT, TT, and PT should be followed closely during therapy and afterwards.

  • Allergy to eptifibatide and/or other ingredients.

  • Severe, uncontrolled hypertension.

  • Pregnancy : No experience exists. Pregnant patients should be treated only when clearly needed.

  • Lactation : No human data exists. Breast-feeding should be avoided during treatment in order to prevent damage to the newborn.

  • Geriatric patients : No differences in side effects compared with younger patients have been seen. Nevertheless, geriatric patients should be very closely observed for bleeding and other side-effects.

  • Pediatric patients : Eptifibatide is not indicated in patients below 18 years of age, because no experience exists.