An intravenous antiplatelet (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor)
Tirofiban
An intravenous antiplatelet medicine used in hospital during heart attacks and procedures to keep blood from clotting on the artery.
What is Tirofiban?
Tirofiban is a powerful antiplatelet medicine given through a drip into a vein in hospital. It is used during acute coronary syndromes (such as a heart attack or unstable angina) and during procedures to open blocked heart arteries (PCI, sometimes with a stent), to stop platelets clumping together and forming a clot. Because it strongly reduces clotting, its main risk is bleeding, and it can also cause a low platelet count, so people are monitored closely. It is a short-term, hospital-only treatment given alongside other clot-preventing medicines.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Tirofiban — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Tirofiban is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, a strong antiplatelet medicine that stops platelets sticking together to form clots. It is given only in hospital, as a drip into a vein, during acute coronary syndromes and during procedures to open narrowed or blocked heart arteries. It works quickly and is used for a short time during the high-risk period, usually together with other clot-preventing medicines such as aspirin and a heparin. It is not a tablet or a long-term treatment; it is reserved for the acute hospital setting under specialist care.
How it works
When an artery is injured or a procedure is performed, platelets gather and clump together, and the final step in forming a clot involves a receptor on the platelet surface called glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Tirofiban blocks this receptor so platelets cannot link to each other, strongly reducing clot formation at the critical moment. This helps keep the artery open during a heart attack or stenting procedure. Because it powerfully blocks clotting, it also increases the risk of bleeding, which is why it is given for a limited time and monitored carefully.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A hospital-only antiplatelet given by a drip into a vein, used during acute coronary syndromes and procedures to open blocked heart arteries.
Practical use
How to take Tirofiban
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given only in hospital as a drip into a vein, set up and monitored by the medical team.
- It is usually given together with other clot-preventing medicines such as aspirin and a heparin.
- Tell the team straight away about any bleeding, bruising, blood in urine or stools, or a severe headache.
- Let the team know about recent surgery, injuries, ulcers or bleeding problems, as these affect whether it can be used.
- It is used for a short time during the high-risk period and then stopped by the team.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Tirofiban
Advantages
- Strongly reduces dangerous clot formation during heart attacks and artery-opening procedures.
- Works quickly and its effect wears off fairly soon after the drip is stopped.
- Helps keep heart arteries open during the highest-risk period.
Disadvantages
- Increases the risk of bleeding, which can occasionally be serious.
- Can cause a sudden fall in platelet count, needing blood monitoring.
- Can only be given in hospital as a drip, not as a tablet at home.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important thing to understand about tirofiban is that it is a strong clot-blocker given in hospital, so bleeding is its main risk, ranging from bruising and minor oozing to, rarely, serious internal bleeding. The team monitors for this closely and checks blood counts, because it can also cause a sudden drop in platelets (the cells that help blood clot), which itself increases bleeding risk. It is given alongside other clot-preventing medicines, which adds to the overall bleeding risk, so doctors balance this against the danger of a clot blocking a heart artery. The dose and how long it runs are adjusted by the team, including in people with reduced kidney function. After the drip is stopped, its effect wears off fairly quickly. People should report any signs of bleeding promptly while in hospital.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with active bleeding, or a recent stroke, major surgery, serious injury or bleeding into the brain, should not be given it.
- People with a known low platelet count or a previous serious reaction to it should not be given it.
- It is used with caution, often at an adjusted rate, in people with reduced kidney function.
- It is used with care in people at higher risk of bleeding for other reasons.
Monitoring
- Close watching for any signs of bleeding while the drip is running.
- Blood tests to check platelet count and red blood cells.
- Checking kidney function, as the rate may need adjusting.
Side effects
- Bleeding or bruising, ranging from minor to, rarely, serious.
- A drop in platelet count, which monitoring is designed to catch.
- Nausea or headache.
- Rarely, serious allergic reactions.
Key interactions
- Other clot-preventing medicines, such as aspirin, heparins and oral anticoagulants, add to the bleeding risk.
- Other antiplatelet medicines used together further increase bleeding risk.
- Medicines or conditions that affect clotting are taken into account by the team before and during treatment.
Available as: A solution given as a drip (infusion) into a vein in hospital.
Answers
Tirofiban: frequently asked questions
What is tirofiban used for?
It is a strong antiplatelet given in hospital during heart attacks, unstable angina and procedures to open blocked heart arteries, to stop platelets forming a clot.
How is it given?
It is given only in hospital as a drip into a vein, set up and monitored by the medical team, usually alongside other clot-preventing medicines.
What is the main risk?
Its main risk is bleeding, because it strongly reduces clotting; it can also lower the platelet count, so blood tests and close monitoring are used.
How long does it last?
It is given for a short time during the high-risk period, and its effect wears off fairly quickly once the drip is stopped.
Why do they check my blood?
Blood tests check the platelet count and watch for bleeding, since tirofiban can occasionally cause a sudden fall in platelets that increases bleeding risk.
The wider class
About Antiplatelet (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor)
Tirofiban belongs to the antiplatelet (glycoprotein iib/iiia inhibitor) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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