Argatroban, Injection ar-GA-troh-ban

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anticoagulant (medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming)

Generic and brand names: argatroban, injection

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). It is used to prevent or treat blood clots in people who have had a severe reaction to heparin, another type of anticoagulant. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• high blood pressure
• liver disease
• stomach or duodenal ulcers
• bleeding disorders

Also tell your provider if you have recently had surgery for brain, spinal cord, or eye problems, of if you have had a lumbar puncture.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while receiving this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is usually given while you are in the hospital. You will be monitored closely while receiving this medicine.

After you go home from the hospital, follow directions exactly for any medicines that your healthcare provider may prescribe (such as warfarin). Do not stop taking any medicine or change your dosage without the approval of your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Bleeding is a common side effect while taking this medicine. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth. If you have any bleeding after you go home from the hospital, put pressure on the area that is bleeding. If that does not stop the bleeding, contact your healthcare provider right away or get emergency medical care.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening: (Report this to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.) Serious bleeding that cannot be stopped by applying pressure to the spot that is bleeding.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bleeding or bruising; black or tarry stools; blood in your urine or vomit; severe headache or confusion; sudden problems with vision, speech, or walking; numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, or on one side of your body; fast or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; fainting; shortness of breath.

Other: Stomach upset, back pain, dizziness, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cough, swelling or pain at the injection site.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• aspirin or other salicylates
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as abciximab (ReoPro), cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox), enoxaparin (Lovenox), eptifibatide (Integrilin), fondaparinux (Arixtra), heparin, lepirudin (Refludan), prasugrel (Effient), ticlopidine, tirofiban (Aggrastat), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• medicines to dissolve blood clots such as alteplase (Activase), reteplase (Retavase), and tenecteplase (TNKase)
• natural remedies such as angelica, anise, arnica, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, passionflower, red clover, turmeric, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.