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Reversible thrombocytopenia associated with eptifibatide
Monty Yoder1, Rebecca F Edwards
1Department of Pharmacy, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1167, USA. myoder@wfubmc.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|March 29, 2002
Summary
Eptifibatide, used for acute coronary syndrome, may cause severe thrombocytopenia. This adverse reaction is reversible upon drug discontinuation, as seen in a patient case study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management often involves antiplatelet therapies.
- Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists are crucial in preventing thrombotic events.
- Eptifibatide is a commonly used glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor in ACS.
Observation:
- A patient with ACS developed severe thrombocytopenia shortly after eptifibatide administration.
- Symptoms including chills and radiating pain were noted during infusion.
- Platelet count dropped significantly from baseline (230 to 3 x 10(3)/mm(3)).
Findings:
- The patient's thrombocytopenia was profound but fully reversible after discontinuing eptifibatide.
- No other adverse hematologic sequelae were observed.
- The temporal association strongly suggests eptifibatide as the cause.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be vigilant for thrombocytopenia as a potential adverse effect of eptifibatide.
- Prompt recognition and discontinuation of eptifibatide can lead to complete recovery.
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring platelet counts in patients receiving eptifibatide.