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Brand Name: Angiomax
Active Ingredient: Bivalirudin
Strength(s): 250mg/vial
Dosage Form(s):Bivalirudin
Company Name: The Medicines Company
Availability: Prescription only, professional use only
*Date Approved by FDA: December 15, 2000
*Approval by FDA does not mean that the 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 (unstable angina) who are undergoing a procedure to open blocked arteries in the heart (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PCTA).

· to reduce the risk of blood clotting in adults who are undergoing a procedure to open blocked arteries in the heart (percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI). Angiomax may be given with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor under some circumstances in patients undergoing PCI.

· to reduce the risk of blood clotting in adults with, or at risk of, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome (HITTS) undergoing PCI.

Angiomax is given by intravenous injection in addition to aspirin during treatment.

The safety and effectiveness of Angiomax is not known in patients who are not undergoing PCTA or PCI 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 healthcare provider?

Because of the potential for increased bleeding with aspirin and Angiomax, tell your doctor or 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 healthcare provider, including those that you take without a prescription. Tell your doctor or 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 complete list of side effects reported 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
* Nausea
* Very low or very high blood pressure
* Headache
* Injection site pain
* Insomnia
* Pelvic pain
* Anxiety
* Vomiting
* Slow heart rate
* Abdominal pain
* Fever
* Nervousness
* Upset stomach

For more detailed information about Angiomax, ask your doctor.

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