Vorapaxar

Generic name: Vorapaxar
Brand names: Zontivity
Dosage form: oral tablet (2.08 mg)
Drug class: Protease-activated receptor-1 antagonists

Usage of Vorapaxar

Vorapaxar is used to lower the risk of stroke or serious heart problems in people who have had a heart attack or a blood vessel disorder affecting circulation in the arms and legs.

Vorapaxar is sometimes used together with aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix).

Vorapaxar may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Vorapaxar side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Vorapaxar may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

red or brown urine, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

any bleeding that will not stop;

low red blood cells (anemia)--pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or

signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects of vorapaxar may include:

bleeding;

anemia;

depression; or

rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Vorapaxar

You should not use vorapaxar if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

active bleeding;

stomach or intestinal bleeding;

a head injury or bleeding in your head;

a history of stroke;

a history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or "mini-stroke"; or

a history of bleeding in your brain or increased pressure inside the skull.

Vorapaxar increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening, especially if:

you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;

you are an older adult;

you are underweight;

you have liver or kidney disease;

you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

you take certain antidepressants (Celexa, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Effexor, and others); or

you take an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any heart procedures, such as:

heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG);

angioplasty (a catheter is inserted to place a "stent" in a blood vessel to open up a blocked or narrowed artery); or

coronary angiography (a special dye is injected into a blood vessel that allows your coronary arteries to be easily seen on an x-ray).

Vorapaxar may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using vorapaxar.

Relate drugs

How to use Vorapaxar

Usual Adult Dose for Thromboembolic Disorder:

2.08 mg orally once a day, with or without foodComments: Use with aspirin and/or clopidogrelUses: For reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Usual Adult Dose for Peripheral Arterial Disease:

Warnings

You should not use vorapaxar if you have active bleeding, stomach or intestinal bleeding, a head injury, or if you have a history of stroke (including "mini-stroke"), bleeding in your brain, or increased pressure inside the skull.

Vorapaxar increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bloody or tarry stools, red or brown urine, any bleeding that will not stop, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

What other drugs will affect Vorapaxar

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Other drugs may affect vorapaxar, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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