warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Eptifibatide can cause serious bleeding. If bleeding cannot be controlled, discontinue eptifibatide immediately. Minimize vascular and other traumas. If heparin is given concomitantly, monitor aPTT or ACT. ( 5.1 ) Thrombocytopenia: Discontinue eptifibatide and heparin. Monitor and treat condition appropriately. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Bleeding Bleeding is the most common complication encountered during eptifibatide therapy. Administration of eptifibatide is associated with an increase in major and minor bleeding, as classified by the criteria of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study group (TIMI) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . Most major bleeding associated with eptifibatide has been at the arterial access site for cardiac catheterization or from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract. Minimize the use of arterial and venous punctures, intramuscular injections, and the use of urinary catheters, nasotracheal intubation, and nasogastric tubes. When obtaining intravenous access, avoid non-compressible sites (e.g., subclavian or jugular veins). Use of Thrombolytics, Anticoagulants, and Other Antiplatelet Agents Risk factors for bleeding include older age, a history of bleeding disorders, and concomitant use of drugs that increase the risk of bleeding (thrombolytics, oral anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and P2Y 12 inhibitors). Concomitant treatment with other inhibitors of platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa should be avoided. In patients treated with heparin, bleeding can be minimized by close monitoring of the aPTT and ACT [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . Care of the Femoral Artery Access Site in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) In patients undergoing PCI, treatment with eptifibatide is associated with an increase in major and minor bleeding at the site of arterial sheath placement. After PCI, eptifibatide infusion should be continued until hospital discharge or up to 18 to 24 hours, whichever comes first. Heparin use is discouraged after the PCI procedure. Early sheath removal is encouraged while eptifibatide is being infused. Prior to removing the sheath, it is recommended that heparin be discontinued for 3 to 4 hours and an aPTT of <45 seconds or ACT <150 seconds be achieved. In any case, both heparin and eptifibatide should be discontinued and sheath hemostasis should be achieved at least 2 to 4 hours before hospital discharge. If bleeding at access site cannot be controlled with pressure, infusion of eptifibatide and heparin should be discontinued immediately. 5.2 Thrombocytopenia There have been reports of acute, profound thrombocytopenia (immune-mediated and non-immune mediated) with eptifibatide. In the event of acute profound thrombocytopenia or a confirmed platelet decrease to <100,000/mm 3 , discontinue eptifibatide and heparin (unfractionated or low-molecular weight). Monitor serial platelet counts, assess the presence of drug-dependent antibodies, and treat as appropriate [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . There has been no clinical experience with eptifibatide initiated in patients with a baseline platelet count <100,000/mm 3 . If a patient with low platelet counts is receiving eptifibatide, their platelet count should be monitored closely.