Skip to main content

Tirofiban (Intravenous)

Generic name: tirofiban [ tye-roe-FYE-ban ]
Brand name: Aggrastat
Drug class: Glycoprotein platelet inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 22, 2024.

Uses for tirofiban

Tirofiban injection is used to prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries of the heart after certain types of chest pain and heart attacks. It may also be used in patients who are having certain heart and blood vessel procedures.

Tirofiban is an antiplatelet medicine. It reduces the chance that a harmful clot will form by preventing certain cells in the blood from clumping together.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using tirofiban

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of tirofiban injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tirofiban injection in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of tirofiban

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins.

You will receive a continuous infusion of this medicine over a period of up to 18 hours. During this time, you will be watched closely to make sure the medicine is working and is not causing unwanted side effects.

clopidogrel, Plavix, enoxaparin, Lovenox, Brilinta, ticagrelor

Precautions while using tirofiban

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits after you leave the hospital for any problems that may be caused by this medicine. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects. Be sure to keep all appointments.

You may bleed and bruise more easily while you are using this medicine. Be extra careful to avoid injuries until the effects of the medicine have worn off.

Check with your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin. Avoid picking your nose. If you need to blow your nose, blow it gently.

You may be told to use a soft toothbrush or to shave with an electric razor (not a razor blade) for a few days after you have been given this medicine. This helps reduce the risk of bleeding.

Watch for any bleeding from open areas such as sites of needle punctures for drawing blood, giving shots, or putting in a catheter for a heart catheterization or angioplasty. Also check for blood in your urine or bowel movements. If you have any bleeding or injuries, tell your doctor right away.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of tirofiban

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor

Pharmacologic Class: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.