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Brand Names: Aggrastat

Generic Name: tirofiban (Pronunciation: tye roe FYE ban)

• What is tirofiban (Aggrastat)?
• What are the possible side effects of tirofiban (Aggrastat)?
• What is the most important information I should know about tirofiban (Aggrastat)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving tirofiban (Aggrastat)?
• How is tirofiban given (Aggrastat)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Aggrastat)?
• What happens if I overdose (Aggrastat)?
• What should I avoid while receiving tirofiban (Aggrastat)?
• What other drugs will affect tirofiban (Aggrastat)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is tirofiban (Aggrastat)?

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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of tirofiban (Aggrastat)?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• nosebleed or other bleeding that will not stop;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness, fever, and urinating more or less than usual.

Less serious side effects may also occur, such as:

• nausea, stomach pain;
• runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat; or
• mild headache or dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about tirofiban (Aggrastat)?

Do not receive this medication if you are allergic to tirofiban, or to similar drugs such as abciximab (ReoPro) or eptifibatide (Integrilin).

Do not receive this medication if you have a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis, severe liver disease, severe high blood pressure, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, a history of head injury, brain tumor, or blood clot in the brain (aneurysm), a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days, or any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks.

Tirofiban is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with tirofiban, 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 tirofiban and aspirin.

Because tirofiban 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.

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