Argatroban, Injection
What are other names for this medicine?
Generic and brand names: argatroban, injection; Acova
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) 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.
What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?
Tell your health care provider if you have a history of liver disease.
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 health care provider's approval.
How do I use it?
After you go home from the hospital, follow directions exactly for any medicines that your health care provider may prescribe (such as Coumadin). Do not stop taking any medicine or change your dosage without the approval of your health care provider.
What should I watch out for?
Bleeding is a common side effect while taking this medicine. Conditions that can increase your risk of bleeding are:
- severe high blood pressure
- recent lumbar puncture
- spinal anesthesia
- recent major surgery for brain, spinal cord, or eye problems
- stomach or duodenal ulcers
- bleeding disorders.
If you have bleeding after you go home from the hospital, try applying pressure to the area that is bleeding. If that does not stop the bleeding, contact your health care provider right away or get emergency medical care.
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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening: (Report this to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care 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.
Other: Stomach upset, drop in blood pressure (lightheadedness, dizziness), fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cough, abdominal pain.
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 health care provider if you are taking:
- aspirin
- cilostazol (Pletal)
- clopidogrel (Plavix)
- dalteparin (Fragmin)
- dipyridamole (Persantine)
- dipyridamole and aspirin (Aggrenox)
- enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- heparin
- ticlopidine (Ticlid)
- tirofiban (Aggrastat)
- warfarin (Coumadin) unless specifically prescribed by your health care provider.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care 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 health care 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.
