Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 14, 2022.
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Anticoagulant
Pharmacologic Class: Thrombin Inhibitor, Direct
Uses for argatroban
Argatroban is used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and to help prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. Argatroban is used to treat or prevent blood clots in patients with bleeding problems caused by another medicine called heparin. It may also be used in patients who are having certain heart and blood vessel procedures, such as coronary angioplasty.
Argatroban is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using argatroban
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For argatroban, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to argatroban or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of argatroban in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of argatroban in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver problems, which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving argatroban.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, o...
