Aggribloc is an anti-platelet agent that helps in preventing blood clots. Aggribloc is used in patients with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction or unstable angina. It is administered in combination with another drug such as heparin and aspirin and is used in treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is also used in patients who eventually undergo atherectomy or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
Aggribloc is useful in preventing the blood clots during heart attack or chest pain. It is also useful when the patient has to undergo procedures to remove the blockage of the coronary artery. Aggribloc is an antagonist of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa platelet receptors. Thus, the drug acts by inhibiting coagulation and platelet aggregation.
Side effects of Aggribloc include stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, mild headache, cough, runny nose, stuffy nose and sore throat.
Serious side effects of the drug include tarry/ bloody/ black stools, bleeding that does not stop, epistaxis (nasal bleeding), vomit that appears like coffee grounds, coughing out blood, heavy feeling of the chest, chest pain, nausea, general ill feeling, sweating, sudden weakness, sudden numbness, sudden headache, confusion, body aches, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, easy bleeding, easy bruising and pale appearing skin. Aggribloc may also lead to unusual urinating (either less or more than usual) and vision/ speech/ balance problems.
Before beginning the treatment with Aggribloc let your physician know if you have severe hepatic disease, ulcerative colitis, stomach ulcers, severe hypertension, brain tumor, any head injury, stroke, aneurysm [blood clot(s) in the brain and any injury, medical emergency or surgery in the last 6-week period. Also let your physician know if you have had any blood clot related disorders or bleeding disorders such as thrombocytopenia, hemophilia etc, before administering Aggribloc.
Aggribloc is administered as intravenous injection. The initial dose is recommended to be 0.4 mcg/ kg/ min and should be administered over a period of 30 minutes. There onwards the drug is continued as 0.1 mcg/kg/min. Usually, the drug is administered along with other agents such as heparin or aspirin and it can be administered through one IV catheter. Aggribloc is administered with caution in patients with renal impairment. In such patients only half the infusion rate is administered. Aggribloc is administered throughout the atherectomy and angioplasty as well as 12 to 24 hours after the two procedures mentioned.
