Abciximab (Systemic)
Brand Names : ReoPro, c7E3 Fab
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding
to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against
the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For
Abciximab, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to abciximab or murine (mouse) proteins. If you have
had abciximab before, you may have developed an allergy to it. Tell your doctor
if you have ever had abciximab. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as [foods, preservatives, or dyes].
Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done
in either humans or animals. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor
knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether this medicine passes
into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using
this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in
adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of abciximab
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Bleeding problems may be especially likely to occur
in elderly patients, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults tot
the effects of abciximab. It is important that you discuss the use of this
medicine with your doctor.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
abciximab, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Aspirin or
-
Anticoagulants (blood thinners such as warfarin [Coumadin]) or
-
Cefamandole (e.g., Mandol) or
-
Cefoperazone (e.g., Cefobid) or
-
Cefotetan (e.g., Cefotan) or
-
Clot-dissolving drugs (alteplase [e.g., Activase], streptokinase
[e.g., Streptase], urokinase [e.g., Abbokinase]), or
-
Dextran, or
-
Dipyridamole (e.g., Persantine, Aggrenox) or
-
Heparin, or
-
Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics, or
-
Medicines that prevent platelets from sticking together (clopidogrel
[e.g., Plavix], ticlopidine [e.g., Ticlid]) - Using any of these medicines
together with abciximab may increase the risk of bleeding.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of abciximab. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Aneurysm (swelling in a blood vessel) especially in the head or
-
Blood disease or a history of unusual bleeding or
-
Brain problems which may include bleeding, disease, injury or tumor
or
-
If you weigh less than 150 pounds or
-
If you are over 65 years of age or
-
Injury to any part of the body or
-
Liver disease or
-
Stroke - The risk of bleeding may be increased
Also, tell your doctor if you have received abciximab or heparin before
and had a reaction to either of them called thrombocytopenia (a low platelet
count in the blood), or if new blood clots formed while you were receiving
the medicine.
In addition, tell your doctor if you have recently
had any bleeding from the stomach, previously had a stroke, recently fallen
or suffered a blow to the body or head, or had major medical or dental surgery
. These events may increase the risk of serious bleeding when you are
taking abciximab.
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