ReoPro® is the brand name of a medication designed to prevent blood clots in patients undergoing certain procedures. Typically administered by a health professional, it is usually given with aspirin and heparin immediately before and after a surgical procedure. The drug is given via an injection directly into a vein.
An individual with severe buildup of plaque in the arteries may need to undergo a surgical procedure in order to clear away the plaque or repair arteries that have been damaged. An injection of ReoPro® up to an hour before a patient goes into surgery can help keep the blood flowing cleanly through arteries while the procedure is being conducted. Also known by the generic name abciximab, ReoPro® is considered a blood-thinning agent.
Platelets are the cells in the blood that are responsible for building clots. ReoPro® acts by inhibiting the ability of the platelets to bind to each other, the process that typically results in the creation of a scab over an injured area of the body or blood vessel. This is also the way in which heart attacks are caused, and the administration of blood thinners can help prevent the buildup of clots and blockages in the heart. Blood-thinning capabilities are often enhanced by the addition of aspirin, which also acts as an anticoagulant. Many health professionals will administer them both and instruct the patient to continue taking a recommended dosage of aspirin after the completion of ReoPro®.
As the medication is given by injection, some individuals may have a reaction at the site of administration. This is usually no more serious than soreness, bruising, or redness around the site of the needle puncture. Others can have an allergic reaction to the medication itself, especially those who are allergic to mouse proteins. Since ReoPro® impairs the ability of the blood to clot, those who are already suffering from chronic bleeding or are recovering from surgery for another problem should not be given the medication.
Some of the side effects associated with ReoPro® are also a result of the drug's anti-clotting agents. Although it is rare, some individuals suffer from bleeding at the site the injection was given, nosebleeds, coughing up blood, or internal bleeding. Allergic reactions can manifest as the development of a rash, dizziness, or itching. Some individuals can also suffer from a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, so some healthcare professionals will administer blood tests to make sure there is no such negative reaction.
