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Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Examples

Generic Name Brand Name
abciximab ReoPro
eptifibatide Integrilin
tirofiban Aggrastat

How It Works

These medicines prevent the formation of blood clots. They can help prevent blood clots in the coronary arteries after a heart attack.

Why It Is Used

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors might be used with angioplasty after a heart attack. But they are not used for everyone.

How Well It Works

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors may help certain people who have angioplasty after a heart attack, such as people who are at high risk for serious blood clots.1

Side Effects

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are given in the hospital. So a person is watched closely for any side effects.

Bleeding inside the body is the most common side effect.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are only used in the hospital.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations

  1. Kushner KG, et al. (2009). 2009 focused updates: ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (Updating the 2004 guideline and 2007 focused update) and ACC/AHA/SCAI guidelines on percutaneous coronary intervention (Updating the 2005 guideline and 2007 focused update). A report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation, 120(22): 2271–2306.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Revised April 29, 2011

Last Revised: April 29, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology

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