AGGRASTAT (50 micrograms/ml) solution for infusion
tirofiban
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours. - If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
AGGRASTAT (50 micrograms/ml) solution for infusion (called Aggrastat in the rest of this leaflet).
1. What Aggrastat is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you are given Aggrastat
3. How Aggrastat is given to you
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Aggrastat
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Aggrastat is used to help assist the blood flow to your heart and to help prevent chest pain and heart attacks.
It works by preventing platelets, cells found in the blood, from forming blood clots.
This medicine may also be used in patients whose heart vessels are dilated with a balloon (percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI). This is a procedure, possibly with implantation of a small tube (stent), to improve the blood flow to the heart.
Aggrastat is intended for use with aspirin and unfractionated heparin.
- if you are allergic to tirofiban or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6).
- if you are bleeding internally or have a history of bleeding internally within the last 30 days.
- if you have a history of bleeding in the brain, brain tumor or abnormal blood vessels in the brain.
- if you have severe uncontrolled high blood pressure (malignant hypertension).
- if you have a low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia) or problems with blood clotting.
- if you developed thrombocytopenia if you had received treatment with Aggrastat or another medicine in the same group of drugs previously.
- if you have a history of stroke within the last 30 days or any history of stroke with bleeding.
- if you have been seriously injured or had a major operation within the last 6 weeks.
- if you have severe liver disease.
Your doctor will review your medical history to see if you are at an increased risk of any side effects associated with being given this medicine.
Talk to your doctor before you are given Aggrastat, if you have or have had:
- any medical problems
- any allergies
- cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a biopsy, or a procedure to break up kidney stones within the last 2 weeks
- been seriously injured or had a major operation within the last 3 months
- an ulcer in the stomach or intestine (duodenum) within the last 3 months
- a recent bleeding disorder (within 1 year) such as bleeding in the stomach or intestine, or blood in your urine or stool
- recent spinal procedure
- a history or symptoms of splitting of the aorta (aortic dissection)
- uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
- an inflammation of the lining around your heart (pericarditis)
- an inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis)
- problems with the blood vessels in the back of your eye (retina)
- treatment with medications that help to prevent or dissolve blood clots
- kidney problems
- a special intravenous line inserted under your collar bone within the last 24 hours
- heart failure
- very low blood pressure due to a failing heart (cardiogenic shock)
- a liver disorder
- low blood count or anemia
In general, Aggrastat can be used with other medicines. Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, as some drugs may affect each other's action. It is especially important to tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that help prevent your blood from clotting such as warfarin.
Food and drink have no effect on this medicine.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before you are given this medicine.
Due to your disease state, you will not be able to drive or operate machinery while Aggrastat is being used.
This medicinal product contains approximately 917 mg of sodium per 250 ml bag which should be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
Aggrastat should be prescribed by a qualified doctor who is experienced in the management of heart attacks.
You have been given, or are about to be given, Aggrastat into a vein. Your doctor will decide on the appropriate dose, depending on your condition and your weight.
The use in children is not recommended.
Your dose of Aggrastat is carefully monitored and checked by your doctor.
The most frequently reported symptom of overdose is bleeding. If you notice bleeding, you should notify your health care professional immediately.
Your doctor will decide when to administer the dose.
Your doctor will decide when treatment should be stopped. However, if you wish to stop your treatment earlier, you should discuss other options with your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The most common side effect of treatment with Aggrastat is bleeding which could occur anywhere in the body. This can become serious and may, rarely, be fatal.
If side effects occur, they may need medical attention. While using Aggrastat, if you develop any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:
- signs of bleeding in the skull such as pain in the head, sensory impairments (visual or hearing), difficulties in speech, numbness or problems with movement or balance
- signs of internal bleeding such as coughing up blood or blood in your urine or stool
- signs of serious allergic reactions such as difficulties in breathing and dizziness
Below is a list of side effects that have occurred in some people following treatment with Aggrastat. The side effects are listed in decreasing order of frequency.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Bleeding after surgery
Bleeding under the skin at the site of an injection, or into a muscle, causing swelling
Small red bruises on the skin
Invisible blood in urine or stool
Feeling sick
Headache
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Blood in urine
Coughing up of blood
Nose bleeds
Bleeding in the gums and mouth
Bleeding from vessel puncture site
Reduction in red blood cells (reduced haematocrit and haemoglobin)
Decreases in platelet count below 90,000/mm3
Fever
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Bleeding in the stomach or intestines
Vomiting of blood
Decreases in platelet count below 50,000/mm3
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Bleeding in the skull
Haematoma in the spinal region
Bleeding in the abdomen of the internal organs
Accumulation of blood around the heart
Bleeding in the lung
Acute and/or severe decreases in platelet counts below <20,000/mm3
Severe allergic reactions with tightness of chest, hives or nettle rash, including reactions that cause difficulty in breathing and dizziness
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Your physician and pharmacist will know how to store and dispose of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bag after EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not freeze.
Keep container in foil overpouch in order to protect from light.
Do not use this medicine if you notice there are visible particles or discolouration of the solution before use.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is tirofiban.
1 ml of Aggrastat solution for infusion contains 50 micrograms tirofiban.
The other ingredients are: Sodium chloride, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid anhydrous, water for injections, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment).
Aggrastat is a clear, colourless solution available as follows:
250 ml Freeflex® container (non-PVC plastic), colourless, multilayer polyolefine film with polyolefin injection moulded tubes. It is packed in a preprinted foil overpouch.
Pack size: 1 or 3 containers with 250 ml solution for infusion. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
Focus Pharmaceuticals Limited
Dashwood House
69 Old Broad Street
London
EC2M 1QS
United Kingdom
Tjoapack Netherlands B.V.
Nieuwe Donk 9
Etten-Leur
4879 AC
Netherlands
Arvato Distribution GmbH
Gottlieb Daimler Straße 1
33428 Harsewinkel
Germany
This leaflet was last revised in August 2024.
Other sources of information
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: http://www.ema.europa.eu/.