Abciximab (previously known as c7E3 Fab), distributed by Eli Lilly under the trade name ReoPro^®, is a platelet aggregation inhibitor mainly used during and after coronary artery procedures like angioplasty to prevent platelets from sticking together and causing thrombus (blood clot) formation within the coronary artery. Its mechanism of action is inhibition of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. One of the worlds largest corporations, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. A Fortune 500 corporation, Eli Lilly had revenues of $12. ... The coronary circulation consists of the blood vessels that supply blood to, and remove blood from, the heart. ... Angioplasty is the mechanical dilation of an artery that have been obstructed, generally due to atheroma (the lesion of atherosclerosis). ... A 250 ml bag of newly collected platelets. ... A thrombus is the final product of blood coagulation, through the aggregation of platelets and the activation of the humoral coagulation system. ...

While Abciximab has a short plasma half life, due to its strong affinity for its receptor on the platelets, it may occupy some receptors for weeks. In practice, platelet aggregation gradually returns to normal about 24 to 48 hours after discontinuation of the drug. A 250 ml bag of newly collected platelets. ...

Abciximab is made from the Fab fragments of an immunoglobulin that targets the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on the platelet membrane. Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ...

Indications for use

Abciximab is indicated for use in individuals undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty with or without stent placement). The use of abciximab in this setting is associated with a decreased incidence of ischemic complications due to the procedure¹ and a decreased need for repeated coronary artery revascularization in the first month following the procedure².

Pharmacokinetics

Abciximab has a plasma half life of about ten minutes, with a second phase half life of about 30 minutes. However, its effects on platelet function can be seen for up to 48 hours after the infusion has been terminated, and low levels of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade are present for up to 15 days after the infusion is terminated. Half-Life is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game developed by Valve Software and published by Sierra On-Line in 1998, based on a heavily-modified Quake game engine. ...

Side effects

Many of the side effects of abciximab are due to its anti-platelet effects. This includes an increased risk of bleeding. The most common type of bleeding due to abciximab is gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia is a rare but known serious risk. Hemorrhage (alternate spelling is Haemorrhage) is the medical term meaning bleeding. ... Thrombocytopenia (or -paenia, or thrombopenia in short) is the presence of relatively few platelets in blood. ...

References

1. Use of a monoclonal antibody directed against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor in high-risk coronary angioplasty. The EPIC Investigation. N Engl J Med. 1994 Apr 7;330(14):956-61. PMID 8121459.
2. Tcheng JE, Kandzari DE, Grines CL, Cox DA, Effron MB, Garcia E, Griffin JJ, Guagliumi G, Stuckey T, Turco M, Fahy M, Lansky AJ, Mehran R, Stone GW; CADILLAC Investigators. Benefits and risks of abciximab use in primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction: the Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (CADILLAC) trial. Circulation. 2003 Sep 16;108(11):1316-23. Epub 2003 Aug 25. PMID 12939213.