Eptifibatide helps to prevent platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming a blood clot. An unwanted blood clot can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.

Eptifibatide is used to prevent blood clots or heart attack in people with severe chest pain or other conditions, and in those who are undergoing a procedure called angioplasty (to open blocked arteries).

Eptifibatide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive eptifibatide if you are also being treated with similar medications such as abciximab (ReoPro) or tirofiban (Aggrastat).

You should not receive eptifibatide if: you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure; you are on dialysis due to kidney failure; you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; you had a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days; or you had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with eptifibatide and aspirin.

Eptifibatide is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you eptifibatide. Eptifibatide is sometimes given around the clock for up to 4 days in a row.

If you are receiving this injection during an angioplasty procedure, the medicine will be given throughout the entire procedure and for up to 24 hours after the procedure.

Eptifibatide is sometimes given together with aspirin. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much aspirin to take and for how long.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often.

Because eptifibatide keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting), this medicine 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 any bleeding that will not stop.

You should not use eptifibatide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• kidney failure and you are on dialysis;

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenia;

• if you have had a stroke or any type of bleeding within the past 30 days;

• if you have had any type of surgery, injury, or medical emergency within the past 6 weeks; or

• if you have or will soon receive treatment with similar medications such as abciximab (ReoPro) or tirofiban (Aggrastat).

To make sure you can safely receive eptifibatide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

Eptifibatide is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with eptifibatide, 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.

It is not known whether eptifibatide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Since eptifibatide is given by a healthcare professional, you are not likely to miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and others. Using an NSAID with eptifibatide may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• any bleeding that will not stop;

• bleeding around your IV or catheter, or in any place where your skin has been punctured with a needle;

• red or pink urine; or

• signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

The risk of bleeding may be higher in older adults.

Common side effects of eptifibatide may include:

• bleeding; or

• feeling lightheaded.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;

• a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or

• any other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots--Plavix, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Ticlid, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with eptifibatide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.