The Risks and benefits of Glycoprotein IIa / IIIa Inhibitors

These drugs are used to treat possible heart attacks and to prevent clotting during angioplasty, but beware of bleeding risks.

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Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) inhibitors are powerful medications that prevent platelets from sticking together and forming a clot. Different GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors-abciximab (ReoPro), eptifibatide (Integrilin), and tirofiban (Aggrastat)-are given intravenously before angioplasty or during a suspected heart attack. GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors have been shown to reduce the need for an urgent repeat revascularization, bypass surgery, heart attack or death within 30 days of the procedure in both men and women.
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