Details

Abciximab is a form of blood thinner used to prevent blood clots during certain procedures used to open up the blood vessels in the heart i.e. balloon angioplasty, coronary stent placement, percutaneous coronary intervention. Abciximab is normally combined with heparin and aspirin drugs. Abciximab belongs to pregnancy category C. Studies have shown an adverse effect on the foetus.

Typical Uses

Abciximab is used for preventing serious heart problems in patients undergoing open heart surgeries. It is also used in certain patients with unstable angina (chest pain) to prevent serious heart problems when PCI is planned. Abciximab is used in combination with other medicines. Abciximab is given in a dose of 0.25mg/kg into the vein 10-60 minutes before the procedure, followed by an infusion of 0.125 µg/kg/min up to a maximum of 10 µg/min for 12 hours. Abciximab is injected into the vein by a healthcare provider.

Side Effects

Abciximab may cause certain side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bleeding, uncontrolled nosebleed, irregular heartbeat, coughing up blood, slurred speech, chest pain, confusion, weakness, vision problems, breathing trouble and more. Abciximab may result in abnormal number of platelets that are required for blood to clot.

Drug Interactions

• Alteplase+Abciximab- Using abciximab together with alteplase can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to testing of your prothrombin time.

• Abciximab+Apixaban- Using apixaban together with abciximab may increase the risk of bleeding, including severe and sometimes fatal haemorrhage.

• Anagrelide+Abciximab- Using abciximab together with anagrelide can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to special testing of your blood.

• Abciximab+Anisindione- Ask your doctor before using anisindione together with abciximab this can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to testing of your prothrombin time.

• Abciximab+dipyridamole/aspirin- Ask your doctor before using abciximab together with dipyridamole. This can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to special testing of your blood.

• Abciximab+cabozantinib- Using cabozantinib together with abciximab may increase the risk of bleeding. In clinical studies, treatment with cabozantinib alone has been associated with severe and sometimes fatal haemorrhage.

• Abciximab+clopidogrel- Ask your doctor before using abciximab together with clopidogrel. This can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to special testing of your blood.

• Abciximab+cangrelor- Concomitant use of cangrelor with anticoagulants, thrombolytic agents, or other antiplatelet agents ma

Mechanism of action

Abciximab is a murine monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of medications called antithrombotics or antiplatelets. It works by binding to blood cells called platelets which are responsible for formation of blood clots.

Pregnancy Category : C