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Angiomax, |bivalirudin Bivalirudin

bivalirudin

Generic Name: bivalirudin (bye VAL i roo din)
Brand Names: Angiomax

What is bivalirudin?

Bivalirudin keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.

Bivalirudin is used to prevent blood clots in people with severe chest pain or other conditions who are undergoing a procedure called angioplasty (to open blocked arteries).

Bivalirudin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about bivalirudin?

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with bivalirudin and aspirin.

Before using bivalirudin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease, kidney disease, or a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia.

Because bivalirudin 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 should I discuss with my health care provider before taking bivalirudin?

Before using bivalirudin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;

• kidney disease; or

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use bivalirudin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with bivalirudin and aspirin.

How should I take bivalirudin?

Bivalirudin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection during your angioplasty procedure in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given throughout the entire procedure.

Bivalirudin is usually given together with aspirin.

Because bivalirudin 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 bivalirudin is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting as needed, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a bivalirudin overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking bivalirudin?

Bivalirudin lowers blood cells that help your blood clot. This can make it easier for you to bruise or bleed from an injury or minor cut. Avoid activities that increase your risk of a bruising or bleeding injury. Use extra caution to avoid cuts when brushing your teeth or shaving.

Bivalirudin side effects

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• pain or swelling in one or both legs;

• any bleeding that will not stop;

• black, bloody, or tarry stools;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• slow heart rate;

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);

• decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed or fainting); or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• pain in your back or pelvis;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset;

• feeling restless or nervous;

• headache;

• fever;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• pain, bleeding, or irritation where the injection was given.

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.

What other drugs will affect bivalirudin?

Before receiving bivalirudin, tell your doctor if you are using or receiving any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin (Innohep); or

• any other medications used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use bivalirudin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect bivalirudin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about bivalirudin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Bivalirudin is available with a prescription under the brand name Angiomax. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.