Integrilin
Evidence Grade A — Regulatory approved. 1065 published studies. 32 registered clinical trials.
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Eptifibatide (sold as Integrilin) is a hospital anti-clotting medication given through an IV during heart attacks and coronary stenting procedures. Derived from a protein found in pygmy rattlesnake venom, it blocks the final step in blood clot formation — the linking of platelets to each other. Its effects wear off within hours of stopping the infusion.
1,065 published studies: 876 human, 45 animal, 94 in-vitro, 233 reviews
Eptifibatide is marketed as Integrilin (approved 1998). It is indicated for acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention (stenting). Administered as an intravenous bolus followed by continuous infusion for up to 72 hours.
In the PURSUIT trial involving nearly 11,000 patients with acute coronary syndrome, eptifibatide reduced the combined rate of death and heart attack. However, the use of GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors has declined significantly with the widespread adoption of newer oral anti-platelet agents like ticagrelor and prasugrel, and improvements in stent technology. Eptifibatide remains available and is still used selectively, particularly during complex coronary interventions where additional anti-platelet protection is needed.
When a blood vessel is damaged (or a stent is placed), platelets rush to the site and link together via a receptor on their surface called GPIIb/IIIa, which grabs fibrinogen molecules to form bridges between platelets — this is the final common step in clot formation. Eptifibatide blocks this receptor, preventing platelets from linking together regardless of what triggered them to activate. Because it blocks the very last step, it is one of the most powerful anti-platelet agents available. Its effects wear off within hours of stopping the infusion.
The PURSUIT trial, involving nearly 11,000 patients with acute coronary syndrome, showed eptifibatide reduced the combined rate of death and heart attack. During the era of bare-metal stents, drugs like eptifibatide were a transformative advance in interventional cardiology. However, clinical use has declined substantially. Newer oral anti-platelet drugs (ticagrelor, prasugrel) and improvements in stent technology (drug-eluting stents) have reduced the need for IV anti-platelet infusions in most situations. Eptifibatide is still available and used selectively during complex coronary interventions where extra anti-platelet protection is needed, but it is no longer a routine part of cardiac care. Generic versions are available.
Eptifibatide for Extended Window Ischemic Stroke After Thrombolysis
Platelet Function in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Treated With Anti-thrombotic or Thrombolytic
Multi-arm Optimization of Stroke Thrombolysis
Eptifibatide in Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke (EPOCH)
Pharmacologic Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia Detected by Intracoronary ECG
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