Integrilin (eptifibatide) keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Integrilin 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).
Integrilin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not receive Integrilin if you are allergic to eptifibatide, if you have or will soon receive treatment with similar medications such as abciximab (ReoPro) or tirofiban (Aggrastat).
You should not receive Integrilin if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, if you are on dialysis due to kidney failure, history of a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, if you had a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days, or if you had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks.
Integrilin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with Integrilin, and aspirin can cause bleeding when it is taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Aspirin can also cause side effects in a newborn baby.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Integrilin and aspirin.
Because Integrilin keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
Before receiving Integrilin
You should not receive Integrilin if you are allergic to eptifibatide, if you have or will soon receive treatment with similar medications such as abciximab (ReoPro) or tirofiban (Aggrastat), or if you have:
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kidney failure and you are on dialysis;
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severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
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history of a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia;
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if you have had a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days; or
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if you have had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks.
To make sure you can safely receive Integrilin, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
FDA Pregnancy Category B. Integrilin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with Integrilin, and aspirin can cause bleeding when it is taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Aspirin can also cause side effects in a newborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Integrilin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive Integrilin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
How is Integrilin given?
Integrilin is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Integrilin is sometimes given around the clock for up to 4 days in a row.
If you are receiving this injection during an angioplasty procedure, the medicine will be given throughout the entire procedure and for up to 24 hours after the procedure.
Integrilin is sometimes given together with aspirin. Follow your doctor"s instructions about how much aspirin to take and for how long.
To be sure Integrilin is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Because Integrilin keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Integrilin is given by a healthcare professional, you are not likely to miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.
What should I avoid?
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. It may increase your risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
Integrilin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Integrilin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect while using Integrilin such as:
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easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
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blood in your urine;
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black, bloody, or tarry stools;
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coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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any bleeding that will not stop;
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sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
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sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
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fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
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feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious Integrilin side effects may also occur, such as:
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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Integrilin?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), fondaparinux (Arixtra), or tinzaparin (Innohep);
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drugs that dissolve blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), tenecteplase (TNKase), urokinase (Abbokinase);
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medicines that keep blood platelets from clumping together, such as anagrelide (Agrylin), cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox), prasugrel (Effient), ticlopidine (Ticlid); or
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medicines that block the action of a blood-clotting enzyme, such as argatroban (Acova), dabigatran (Pradaxa), bivalirudin (Angiomax), lepirudin (Refludan).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Integrilin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
