tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist antiplatelet.
How it is given
Intravenous infusion administered and monitored by a specialist hospital team.
Main safety concern
Bleeding, particularly at vascular-access or procedure sites.
Important checks
Bleeding risk, kidney function, platelet count, haemoglobin and coagulation.
What is tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for adults in these hospital settings:
Preventing an early myocardial infarction in high-risk non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome with relevant recent chest pain and ECG changes and/or raised cardiac enzymes.
Reducing major cardiovascular events in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction when primary percutaneous coronary intervention is intended.
How does tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate work?
Tirofiban reversibly blocks glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors on platelets. This prevents fibrinogen linking platelets together, rapidly reducing platelet aggregation and clot formation. Platelet function returns towards baseline after the infusion is stopped.
tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 50 micrograms/mL, 250 micrograms/mL
How to take tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate
Tirofiban is not taken by mouth. A specialist hospital team gives it into a vein using calibrated infusion equipment and monitors treatment closely. Food and drink do not affect it.
Do not handle, adjust or stop the infusion yourself.
Tell staff promptly about bleeding, new bruising, headache, weakness, breathing problems or discomfort around an intravenous or arterial access site.
Tell the team about recent surgery, injury, stroke, bleeding, spinal procedures and every medicine you use.
tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Bleeding or bruising, including at surgery, injection or vascular-access sites
- Small red or purple spots under the skin
- Blood detected in urine or stools
- Nausea
- Headache
- Nose, gum or mouth bleeding
- Reduced red-cell measurements or platelet count
- Fever
Get urgent medical advice
- Major internal bleeding, including in the brain, digestive tract, lungs, abdomen, around the heart or near the spine
- A sudden or severe fall in platelet count, sometimes with fever, chills or bleeding
- Severe allergic reaction, including chest tightness, hives, breathing difficulty or dizziness
tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is absent or very limited. Tirofiban is not recommended during pregnancy unless the specialist team considers it clearly necessary. Urgent treatment decisions should balance maternal cardiac benefit against uncertain fetal risk.
tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether tirofiban enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. A specialist should decide whether breastfeeding or tirofiban is paused, considering the importance of treatment, the infant's health and the benefits of breastfeeding.
tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate interactions
The main practical interaction is increased bleeding risk from additive impairment of haemostasis.
Warfarin and other oral anticoagulants
Concurrent use may substantially increase bleeding risk and is generally not recommended where that risk is clinically relevant.
Heparins
Unfractionated heparin forms part of licensed use but adds bleeding risk and requires careful clinical and coagulation monitoring. Experience with low-molecular-weight heparins is limited.
Aspirin and other antiplatelets
Platelet inhibition is additive, so bleeding surveillance is required even when combination therapy is intended.
Common questions about tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate given in hospital?
It is used in acute cardiac care, must be infused intravenously and can cause serious bleeding or rapid thrombocytopenia, requiring specialist supervision and laboratory monitoring.
Is tirofiban hydrochloride monohydrate a blood thinner?
It is an antiplatelet treatment rather than a conventional anticoagulant. It blocks platelet aggregation, reducing the ability of platelets to form clots.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.