argatroban

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Pronunciation: ar GAT roe ban

Brand: Acova

What is the most important information I should know about argatroban?

You should not use this medicine if you have any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other medical trauma.

Tell your doctor if you are using or receiving blood thinners or any other medications used to treat or prevent blood clots.

Argatroban can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury.

What is argatroban?

Argatroban is an anticoagulant (thrombin inhibitor) that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.

Argatroban is used to treat or prevent blood clots in people who have thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets in the blood) caused by using heparin. Argatroban is sometimes used in people who are undergoing a procedure called angioplasty (to open blocked arteries).

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

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving argatroban?

You should not receive this medicine if you are allergic to argatroban, or if you have any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other medical trauma.

To make sure argatroban is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • a stomach ulcer or bleeding;
  • liver disease;
  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);
  • untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);
  • if you have recently had a spinal tap or epidural anesthesia; or
  • if you have recently had major surgery (especially eye surgery, brain surgery, or spinal cord surgery).

Argatroban is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, aspirin is sometimes given with argatroban, and taking aspirin during late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the baby during delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant while taking aspirin.

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

How is argatroban given?

Argatroban is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Argatroban is sometimes given together with aspirin.

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.

Argatroban is given around the clock until your blood coagulates properly. Your doctor will test your blood often to determine how long to treat you with argatroban.

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

Because argatroban keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it 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 bleeding that will not stop.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while receiving argatroban?

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

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

What are the possible side effects of argatroban?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • blood in your urine;
  • black, bloody, or tarry stools;
  • coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • any bleeding that will not stop;
  • pain or burning when you urinate;
  • sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
  • sudden severe headache, confusion, sudden changes in your senses of taste or touch;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • cough with yellow or green mucus, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath;
  • slow heart rate, weak pulse, slow breathing (breathing may stop); or
  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
  • headache;
  • back pain; or
  • bleeding around the IV needle.

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.

What other drugs will affect argatroban?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use or have recently received to prevent blood clots, such as:

  • a blood thinner such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • abciximab (ReoPro), anagrelide (Agrylin), cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox), eptifibatide (Integrelin), prasugrel (Effient), ticlopidine (Ticlid), tirofiban (Aggrastat);
  • dabigatran (Pradaxa), bivalirudin (Angiomax), lepirudin (Refludan);
  • dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), fondaparinux (Arixtra), tinzaparin (Innohep); or
  • alteplase (Activase), tenecteplase (TNKase), urokinase (Abbokinase).

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

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about argatroban.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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