Bivalirudin

Bivalirudin is used to prevent blood clots in patients who are undergoing procedures to open blocked arteries. It is injected into a vein through an IV and given throughout the procedure.

Bivalirudin Overview

Reviewed: September 29, 2013
Updated: 

Bivalirudin is a prescription medication used in adults with chest pain who undergo PTCA or PCI. These are procedures that open up narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.

Bivalirudin belongs to a group of drugs called direct thrombin inhibitors, which work to prevent blood from clumping together to form a clot.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of bivalirudin include bleeding, headache, and fever.

How was your experience with Bivalirudin?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Bivalirudin?

What are you taking Bivalirudin for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Angina, Unstable
  • Myocardial Ischemia
  • Thromboembolism

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Bivalirudin work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Bivalirudin to a friend?

Uses of Bivalirudin

Bivalirudin is a prescription medication used in adults with chest pain who undergo percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PTCA and PCI are procedures that open up narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Bivalirudin Brand Names

Bivalirudin may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Bivalirudin Drug Class

Bivalirudin is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Bivalirudin

Serious side effects have been reported with bivalirudin.

Common side effects of bivalirudin include the following:

  • bleeding
  • headache
  • fever
  • thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count in your blood)

This is not a complete list of bivalirudin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.