Bivalirudin
About
Bivalirudin belongs to the group of medicines called blood thinners used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful for stopping bleeding, they may be harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs. Bivalirudin is used in combination with aspirin during Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (angioplasty procedures) in unstable angina patients to reduce the chance of blood clot formation.
Bivalirudin contains Bivalirudin, which works by inhibiting the production of fibrin (a protein that binds platelets together and forms a clot), preventing blood clot formation. This results in lower cardiovascular events like myocardial infarction (heart attack) or other severe chest pain-related problems.
Bivalirudin will be administered by your doctor. So, do not self-administer. The dose of the medicine will be decided by your doctor based on your health condition. Bivalirudin may cause certain side effects such as nose bleeds, skin rash, bleeding in the bowels, blood in urine, low haemoglobin, thrombocytopenia (low platelets), hypersensitivity reactions, and elevations of liver enzyme levels. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
Bivalirudin should not be used if you are allergic to it or if you ever had a brain stroke, bleeding in the brain or transient ischemic attack (stroke). Talk to your doctor before receiving Bivalirudin if you have/had a recent severe injury or surgery due to the risk of severe bleeding problems, have/had a heart problem, kidney disease or using any blood thinner medicine. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should inform the doctor before receiving this medicine. Bivalirudin is not recommended for children as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Uses of Bivalirudin
Medicinal Benefits
Bivalirudin belongs to the group of medicines called antithrombolytic agents (direct thrombin inhibitors) used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Bivalirudin works by inhibiting the production of fibrin (a protein that binds platelets together and forms a clot), preventing blood clot formation. This helps in reducing the rate of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, especially in people who have had heart surgery, known as angioplasty.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Bivalirudin
- Nose bleeds
- Skin rash
- Bleeding in bowels
- Blood in urine
- Low haemoglobin
- Bruising
- Thrombocytopenia
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not receive Bivalirudin if you are allergic to it or if you have a medical condition that causes bleeding from the stomach or intestine, had a transient ischemic attack (stroke) or if you are suffering from severe liver disease. Let your doctor know if you have bleeding problems, had/have a recent serious injury or surgery, kidney/liver disease, or taking any blood thinner medicine before receiving this medicine. Consult your doctor immediately if you develop a medical condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (blood disorder) while on treatment with Bivalirudin. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should inform their doctor before receiving this medicine. Bivalirudin is not recommended for children as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Bivalirudin may interact with pain killers (ibuprofen, celecoxib, hydrocodone, tramadol), blood thinners (clopidogrel, dalteparin, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, prasugrel), and drug used to prevent heart attack or stroke (ticagrelor).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have bleeding problems, coronary and cerebral vascular disease, or liver or kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol intake might increase the risk of stomach or intestine bleeding. Hence, avoid alcohol consumption while receiving Bivalirudin to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Bivalirudin. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionLimited data are available on the effect of Bivalirudin on breastfeeding. Hence, if you are a nursing mother, inform your doctor before receiving Bivalirudin. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
not applicableBivalirudin does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionBivalirudin should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment. Please inform your doctor if you have liver disease or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionBivalirudin should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment. Please inform your doctor if you have kidney disease or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeBivalirudin is not recommended for use in children, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, skinless poultry, fish, eggs, and low-fat dairy products.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
- Managing stress with meditation, yoga, and massage.
- Avoid eating fried food, fast food, boxed food, canned food, and processed frozen meals.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests are advised while taking Bivalirudin to monitor prothrombin, platelets and coagulation time.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood clot: Platelets are small cell particles that circulate in the blood. When the blood vessel is damaged or cut, the platelets clump together and lead to the formation of a clot, preventing bleeding. The formation of clots in arteries can cut off the blood supply, leading to heart attack, stroke or death. Clot formation in the arteries that supply blood to the heart may cause reduced blood flow which could lead to unstable angina (chest pain).
Heart attack: It is a condition where a blood clot blocks a blood vessel supplying your heart, starving it of oxygen and causing chest pain and sometimes death. Quick medication is advised to reduce the risk of serious conditions due to blood clots.
FAQs
Bivalirudin works by inhibiting the clumping of platelets, thereby reducing the chance of blood clot formation. This helps in reducing the rate of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack).
No, you are not recommended to take ibuprofen with Bivalirudin as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, please consult a doctor before taking other medicines with Bivalirudin.
Bivalirudin may cause anaemia (low haemoglobin and low red blood cell count). So it would be best if you include iron-rich food in your diet to prevent anaemia.
