Eptifibatide, also known as Integrilin, happens to be a Drug that works by assisting in the prevention of platelets fusing with each other, an occurrence which causes Blood clots. When these blood clots occur for no medical explainable reason, it usually tends to infer that the affected individual is suffering from certain cardiovascular conditions or blood vessels disorders. To which end, this medication is normally prescribed by physicians to prevent the coagulation (clotting) of blood, which in the extreme scenario has been known to cause heart attack and other cardiovascular health challenges. This given clotting of the blood is prevalently manifested among those persons who suffer from chronic chest pain along with other related medical conditions of the same nature . On the other hand, Eptifibatide can be administered to those individuals who have undergone a surgical procedure, which is referred to, in medical circles, as angioplasty. Angioplasty , for the most part, is usually executed by surgeons in the attempt to unclog blocked arteries. This drug was first discovered by a team of researchers led by Robert. M. Scarborough and David Phillips. They made this groundbreaking discovery at the facilities of COR Therapeutics in the year 2001. This company was later on acquired by Millennium Pharmaceuticals.

How Eptifibatide can be of benefit to your bodybuilding or fitness objectives

Besides just being able to effectively prevent the formation of blood clots in your bloodstream, Integrilin can as well come in handy if you are a bodybuilder or fitness freak. This is especially so if you happen to integrate a vigorous exercise regimen that triggers the bruising of your body. When you go through the intensive training exercises that are a must to realize all your bodybuilding or fitness goals, it is very easy to sustain some injuries that can lead to bleeding of varying intensity. If you happen to suffer from a bleeding condition or disorder, this can, in turn, make you to bleed uncontrollably even from minor injuries or grazes you sustain in your workout sessions . If this continues and you do not take any steps to curb such kind of bleeding, you will be most definitely putting your wellbeing, health and even life at risk. On the other hand, if you have been diagnosed with a condition, which causes your platelets to stick together, and in the long run, trigger coagulation of your blood, this medication can also be beneficial to you in your workout regimen. This cases of clots of your blood can in turn, trigger other potentially dangerous cardiovascular medical conditions that can greatly impair your efforts to train well. However, by consulting your doctor, he or she will be able to prescribe Eptifibatide to deal with this serious issue and completely prevent the clotting of platelets in your bloodstream. This way, you can be able to work just as hard as any other bodybuilder or fitness enthusiast, without having to worry over your overall health and wellbeing. So, as you can evidently see, this drug can be a veritable lifesaver if you suffer from a condition or disorder, which causes your platelets to clot. But still wish to continue with your bodybuilding or fitness training as you previously did.

What is the recommended dosage for Eptifibatide?

Eptifibatide can only be administered directly into the veins via an IV by a healthcare provider. In some specific circumstances, it can be administered round the clock for the upwards of 4 full days consecutively. When it comes to the earlier mentioned angioplasty surgical procedures, this drug is administered all through the surgery, and for up to 24 hours afterwards or until the patient is discharged from the hospital. Let us now take a closer look at the right dosage, which is prescribed for patients that suffer from notable cardiovascular conditions by the maker of this drug.

Angina pectoris

Eptifibatide is administered to individuals with angina pectoris in the following manner. Healthcare providers normally commence with an initial 180 mcg/kg IV bolus dose immediately after the diagnosis has been made or as soon as possible after that. Then a 2 mcg/kg/min continuous infusion is consecutively administered until the moment the patient is discharged from hospital or is scheduled to undergo a CABG surgical procedure.

Acute coronary syndrome

For those people who have acute coronary syndrome, the initial dose that is administered for this drug is 180 mcg/kg IV bolus, which is done immediately after the diagnosis has been made. Then a 2 mcg/kg/min continuous infusion follows until the moment the patient is discharged from the hospital or before the commencement of a CABG surgical procedure ( up to 72 hours later).

Percutaneous coronary intervention

Below is the manufacturer recommended dosage for those individuals who have being scheduled to undergo the percutaneous coronary intervention procedure. Ideally, the Eptifibatide administration starts with 180 mcg/kg IV bolus just before the surgery kicks off. They then get a 2 mcg/kg/min dose after the initial IV bolus. This infusion is then continued until the moment the patient can be safely discharged from the hospital.

All in all, since this drug can only be administered by trained and experienced healthcare workers, it is very unlikely that you can get an overdose or miss the prescribed dosing in your treatment plan.

What are the side effects of taking Eptifibatide?

Eptifibatide has, over the passage of time since its discovery in 2001, been known to trigger a number of side effects whose severity varies from mild to severe. Some of the most common of these include:

• Hives
• Shortness of breathe
• Swelling of the face, lips tongue and even throat

  Should you manifest the above symptoms, make sure that you get emergency medical assistance as soon as you possibly can to prevent complications.

  You may also experience lightheadedness or bleeding that does not cease. The last side effect can occur around the IV needle or catheter and in those particular areas of the body, which have been punctured by injection needles. Also, you can start passing red or pink urine together with a bloody or tarry discharge in your stool, coughing up blood or passing out a vomit that looks like coffee grounds. If you exhibit any of these symptoms after the administration of this drug, alert your physician as soon as you possibly can to get proper treatment. Nevertheless, the most commonly reported side effects of taking this medication is uncontrollable bleeding. This normally happens due to the earlier noted fact that this drug carries out its work by preventing platelets to coagulate in the bloodstream. A circumstance which makes it extremely easy for the user to start bleeding even when they have sustained a very superficial injury.

  Which kinds of people should not use Eptifibatide?

  Quite naturally, as with other similar medications, there are certain individuals who are advised to avoid using this drug in order to prevent serious side effects. This includes those that have certain medical conditions or a certain physical status. Well, let us now take a look at some of these given individuals. To begin with, at all costs, never accept the administration of Eptifibatide if you are, at the same time, receiving treatment with the same class of medicines like this one. Some of the most notable of which are abciximab and tirotiban that are also prescribed to prevent blood clots. You should also avoid using Integrilin if you happen to suffer from chronic or an uncontrollably high blood pressure. If you are undergoing dialysis treatment for kidney failure, it is also highly recommended that you do not use this medication at the same time with such treatment. This is also the case for those people who have being diagnosed with a bleeding condition or disorder such as hemophilia or even thrombocytopenia. You should, at the same time, avoid using Integrilin, if you have suffered a stroke or bleeding episode within the past 30 days prior to using this drug. Additionally, those individuals that have undergone any type of surgical procedure or experienced a medical emergency within 6 weeks before been prescribed to this medication are also dissuaded from using it. Finally, it will be very prudent to consult your physician if you are an expectant woman or if you intend to get pregnant during Eptifibatide treatment. It is quite true that virtually all the clinical studies, which have been conducted on this drug have failed to indicate it can be potentially dangerous to unborn babies. Yet, in most cases than not, it is normally administered in conjunction with aspirin. It is important for you to note that aspirin has been known to trigger bleeding among pregnant women, particularly in the last trimester of their pregnancies (6 to 9 months). Aspirin has also been shown to cause serious and potentially life threatening side effects in newborn babies. At the same time, it has not been fully demonstrated if this medication can be able to pass into breast milk or even if it has the potential to cause any kind of harm to those young children who nurse. Still, to be prudent, make sure you always consult with your doctor to obtain advice if you can still be able to continue nursing your child during your treatment with Integrilin.

  Can Eptifibatide have any adverse interactions with other medication?

  Eptifibatide has been revealed to cause some adverse reactions when it is taken at the same time with certain other drugs. So, it is very important to alert your physician of all the other medicines you might currently be using if he prescribes this one. To be on the safe side, always make sure that you get his or her approval to use Integrilin, if you are on any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) NSAIDs can be usually prescribed by healthcare providers to treat medical conditions such as arthritis, fever, swelling or as effective pain relievers. These particular medications have been comprehensively proved to interact adversely with Integrilin, once they are taken at the same time. Some of the most notable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which are currently made available in the market include the above mentioned aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. All of these kinds of medicine have been known, when used along with Eptifibatide simultaneously, to trigger bruising that can then lead to unrelenting bleeding. On the other hand, you should make sure you avoid taking this drug, if your doctor has prescribed the use of blood thinners such as warfarin, Coumadin or even santoven. All of these medications have been known to interact adversely with Integrilin when they are taken together. Therefore, always desist from using the latter if you are on any blood thinners, and make sure your physician knows about it, prior to accepting his or her prescription. This should also be the case, like it was earlier stated, when you are taking drugs which are meant to treat blood clots, just like this one. Some of the most notable of which are plavix, xarelto, ticlid as well as pradaxa, to mention but a few.

  Conclusion

  On a parting shot, it is always vital for you to make sure the dosage you take is the right one to avoid the dangerous repercussions of overdosing that can be potentially life threatening in the extreme. Also, make sure you avoid taking Integrilin at the same time with the medications that can interact negatively with it. This if you remember, includes the earlier noted non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners and even those similar medications that are prescribed to treat coagulation of the blood in your bloodstream. Additionally, ensure you avoid using Eptifibatide if you have being diagnosed with any of the medical conditions that were outlined above. This, of course, includes having an uncontrollably high blood pressure, suffering from kidney failure or if you have suffered from a stroke. Also, avoid using Integrilin if you have undergone a surgical procedure until your wounds can properly heal to avoid uncontrollable bleeding. By making sure, you follow the tips listed here, you will be able to effectively deal with incidents where you blood clots and blocks your arteries. Finally, as was elaborated in the previous paragraph, this drug can be of immense use to you have a bleeding or blood clotting medical condition, but still wish to realize your bodybuilding or fitness objectives.