Abciximab, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: platelet aggregation inhibitor; monoclonal antibody

Generic and brand names: abciximab, injection; ReoPro

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to prevent blood clots. It is used before surgery to open clogged coronary arteries. It is usually used with heparin and aspirin.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a stroke
• a brain tumor, bleeding in the brain, or brain aneurysm
• bleeding problems
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)

Also tell your healthcare provider if you have recently been injured, had major medical or dental surgery, or if you have taken a medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming in the past 7 days.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic.

What should I watch out for?

You will be monitored very closely by your healthcare provider while you are receiving this medicine. If you have any bleeding during the IV infusion, call your provider right away. After you leave the hospital, you may bleed more easily for several days. Be careful to not cut or bruise yourself. Get medical care right away if you have any bleeding problems.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat), back pain, black stools, blood in your urine, unusual bruising or bleeding, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, blurred vision, fainting, unusual tiredness or weakness, sudden or severe headache.

Other: Nausea; vomiting; dizziness; diarrhea; constipation; headache; pain, redness, or swelling at injection site; swelling of feet or ankles.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• aspirin or other salicylates
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), tinzaparin (Innohep), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox), and ticlopidine (Ticlid)
• natural remedies such as angelica, arnica, capsicum, chamomile, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, papain, passionflower, red clover, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac (Cataflam, Arthrotec, Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.