bivalirudin Health Article

Generic name(s):

bivalirudin

Brand name(s):

Angiomax

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

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to bivalirudin, or if you have any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other medical trauma. Bivalirudin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is usually given with bivalirudin, 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 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.

Tell your doctor if you are using or receiving blood thinners or any other medications used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).

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

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to bivalirudin, or if you have any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other medical trauma.

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.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is usually given with bivalirudin, 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 bivalirudin and aspirin.

It is not known whether bivalirudin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a bivalirudin overdose are not known.