What is this medication for?
Tirofiban belongs to the family of medications known as anti-platelets,
and specifically to the family of anti-platelets known as GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.
Platelets are a component of the blood that is very important to blood
clotting. Heart attacks are caused by blood clots that block the required flow
of blood to the heart. Tirofiban is used in combination with heparin (a medication
also used to prevent blood clots) and aspirin to prevent an early heart attack
for people who have unstable angina (chest pain that gets worse with time
and puts one at risk for heart attack) or a type of heart attack known as a
non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Aggrastat® is available as:
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Tirofiban is used in a hospital setting and is administered by infusion.
A needle is inserted into a vein in the arm and the medication is administered
over a period of time. The medication is usually given for a period of at least
48 hours.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to tirofiban or any ingredients of the medication
- are using any other injectable medications of the same type as tirofiban
- have a history, symptoms, or signs of aortic dissection
- have active internal bleeding or a history of any factors, such as medical
conditions or medications, that increase bleeding risk
- have angina brought on by obvious provoking factors (e.g., abnormal
heart rhythms, severe anemia, overactive thyroid gland, or low blood pressure)
- have any blood clotting disorder or have thrombocytopenia (low level of platelets)
- have developed thrombocytopenia following
previous use of tirofiban or a similar medication
- have had a stroke within the 30 days before hospitalization or have ever had
a hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke
- have had any major surgical procedure or severe physical trauma within the
previous 6 weeks
- have had intracranial (in the brain) bleeding or tumor, artery and
vein malformation, or an aneurysm
- have liver cirrhosis or significant liver disease
- have severe high blood pressure that is not under control
- have pericarditis
