| Pharmacy Drug Brand Name: | Angiomax® |
| Active Ingredient(s): | bivalirudin |
| Strength(s) / Dose(s): | 250mg/vial |
| Delivery / Dosage Form(s): | bivalirudin |
| Company Manufacturer Name: | The Medicines Company |
| Availability / Prescription: | Prescription only, professional use only |
| Date Approved by FDA *: | December 15, 2000 |
* Approval by the FDA does not necessarily mean that this drug is available for consumers at this time.
What is Angiomax used for?
Angiomax is used to reduce the risk of blood clotting in adults with severe chest pain or discomfort (unstable angina) who are undergoing a procedure to open blocked arteries in the heart (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PCTA). Angiomax is given by intravenous injection in addition to aspirin during treatment.
The safety and effectiveness of Angiomax is not known in patients with unstable angina who are not undergoing PCTA or in patients who have other heart problems. Angiomax has also not been tested in combination with blood thinners other than aspirin.
Who should not be given Angiomax?
Angiomax should not be given to individuals who currently have major bleeding.
What should I tell my doctor or health care (healthcare) provider?
Because of the potential for increased bleeding with aspirin and Angiomax, tell your doctor or health care (healthcare) provider if you:
- are pregnant
- have a medical condition that increases your risk of bleeding
- have a tendency to bleed easily
Because certain other medications can increase the risk of bleeding with Angiomax, review all medications that you are taking with your health care (healthcare) provider, including those that you take without a prescription. Tell your doctor or health care (healthcare) provider if you are taking:
- blood thinners
- heparin
- thrombolytics, such as urokinase
What are some possible side effects of Angiomax? (This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects assosciated with Angiomax. Your doctor can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
The most common side effect of Angiomax is bleeding.
Other side effects include:
- Back pain or discomfort
- Nausea
- Very low or very high blood pressure
- Headache
- Injection site pain or discomfort
- Insomnia
- Pelvic pain or discomfort
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Slow heart rate
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Fever
- Nervousness
- Upset stomach