Tirofiban
About Tirofiban
Tirofiban belongs to a class of medicines called 'antiplatelets' (blood thinners) used to prevent blood clots. It helps to prevent heart attack and chest pain. It is intended for use with unfractionated heparin and aspirin. A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful for stopping bleeding, they are harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs.
Tirofiban contains Tirofiban, a platelet aggregation inhibitor which works by preventing platelets (blood cells) from sticking together to form blood clots. Thus, it prevents blood clot formation.
Tirofiban will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Sometimes, Tirofiban may cause common side effects such as bleeding under the skin at the site of injection or into a muscle causing swelling, bleeding after surgery, invisible blood in stool or urine, headache or feeling sick. Most of these side effects of Tirofiban do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Tirofiban or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Tirofiban is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established. If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban. Avoid alcohol consumption with Tirofiban as it may increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. If you have a history of stroke or bleeding internally within the last 30 days, avoid receiving Tirofiban.
Uses of Tirofiban
Medicinal Benefits
Tirofiban contains Tirofiban, an antiplatelet which prevents platelets (blood cells) from sticking together to form blood clots. Thus, it is used to prevent blood clots. Also, it helps blood flow to the heart and prevents heart attack and chest pain. Additionally, it may be used in patients whose heart vessels are dilated with a balloon (percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI). It is intended for use with unfractionated heparin and aspirin.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Tirofiban
- Bleeding under the skin at the site of injection or into a muscle causes swelling
- Bleeding after surgery
- Invisible blood in stool or urine
- Headache
- Feeling sick
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Tirofiban or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Tirofiban is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established. If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban. Avoid alcohol consumption with Tirofiban as it may increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. If you have a history of stroke or bleeding internally within the last 30 days, avoid receiving Tirofiban. If you have had cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a biopsy, or a procedure to break up kidney stones within the last 2 weeks or have been seriously injured, had a major operation or had an ulcer in the stomach or intestine within the last 3 months, had a recent spinal procedure, have history or symptoms of aortic dissection (splitting of the aorta, main artery), or had a special intravenous line inserted under your collar bone within the last 24 hours, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking another blood thinner (warfarin) or are taking or have recently taken other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Avoid receiving Tirofiban if are bleeding internally, have severe uncontrolled high blood pressure, thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count), have severe liver disease or have a history of stroke, bleeding in the brain, abnormal blood vessels in the brain or brain tumour. If you have anaemia (lack of blood), liver disorder, heart failure, kidney problems, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), uncontrolled high blood pressure, pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around your heart), bleeding disorder, cardiogenic shock (very low blood pressure due to a failing heart) or ulcer in the stomach or intestine, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid the consumption of alcohol with Tirofiban as it may increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorLimited data is available on the effect of Tirofiban in pregnancy. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorLimited data is available on the effect of Tirofiban on breastfeeding mothers. Hence, if you are a nursing mother, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
not applicableDue to your disease state, you will not be able to drive or operate machinery while receiving Tirofiban.
Liver
cautionTirofiban is not recommended if you have severe liver disease. Therefore, if you have any liver disorder, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney disease/condition, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban. The dose may be adjusted in patients with severe kidney failure.
Children
unsafeTirofiban is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid making any changes in your diet without first talking to your doctor to avoid medication interactions.
- Include foods high in antioxidants, such as vegetables, fruits, olive oil, seeds, nuts, cocoa, and red wine, as they may lower the risk of developing blood clots.
- Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet high in omega-3-rich foods, fruits and vegetables, and vitamin E-rich foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids as dehydration can thicken blood leading to an increased risk of blood clot formation.
- Do regular exercise as it helps to dissolve blood clots, especially in obese people.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood clots: A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful to stop bleeding, they may be harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs and result in serious conditions. The common risk factors for blood clots are obesity, smoking, cancer, family history of blood clots, aged over 65 years, certain birth control pills, or pregnancy. If you experience chest pressure, sudden shortness of breath, or difficulty in breathing, speaking, or seeing, please consult a doctor immediately, as these might be symptoms of blood clots. Quick medication is advised to reduce the risk of serious conditions due to blood clots.
FAQs
Tirofiban is used to prevent blood clots, heart attack and chest pain.
Tirofiban contains Tirofiban, a platelet aggregation inhibitor which works by preventing platelets (blood cells) from sticking together to form blood clots. Thus, it prevents blood clot formation.
Tirofiban is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease. Therefore, if you have any liver disorder, inform your doctor before receiving Tirofiban.
Yes, Tirofiban may cause bleeding. If you notice blood in urine or stool or coughing up blood, please inform your doctor immediately, as these might be signs of internal bleeding.
While taking Tirofiban, avoid medications such as NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen), anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin), thrombolytic agents (streptokinase), other antiplatelet medicines (clopidogrel), and SSRIs (citalopram), as they may interact with Tirofiban and cause negative complications. Always inform your doctor about your medication and health history for personalized guidance.
Tirofiban is administered through an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional.
You should avoid consuming alcohol while on Tirofiban since it may raise the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
Tirofiban gets to work quickly, and you may start feeling better within a few hours. As the medication rapidly prevents blood clots, you'll be on the road to recovery in no time. Follow your doctor's instructions and complete the full treatment course to ensure maximum benefits and a speedy return to health.
The common side effects of the Tirofiban may include bleeding under the skin at the site of injection or into a muscle, causing swelling, bleeding after surgery, invisible blood in stool or urine, headache, or feeling sick. Most of these side effects of Tirofiban do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
