[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Antiplatelet drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiplatelet-drugs/) › Abciximab [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Antiplatelet drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiplatelet-drugs/) # Abciximab An antibody fragment given by vein that blocks the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor during coronary angioplasty. Its effect outlasts the infusion. Updated 2026-11-01 - Class: [Antiplatelet drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiplatelet-drugs/) - Receptor: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3) - ATC code: B01AC13 ◎**Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3)**Abciximab ⓘ The figure shows human integrin αIIbβ3 with the abciximab antibody fragment bound; abciximab is a protein, so no small-molecule ligand is marked. **Target in 3D:** Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3). PDB structure 6V4P (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6V4P) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom ## Mechanism of action Abciximab is the Fab fragment of a monoclonal antibody against glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, the receptor through which fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor link platelets together. Bound to the receptor, it blocks this final common step of aggregation. It also binds the vitronectin receptor on platelets, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. - The abciximab Fab binds glycoprotein IIb/IIIa - Fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor can no longer bridge platelets - It stays on platelets, so the effect outlasts the infusion ## Pharmacokinetics **Half-life** Free antibody about 30 minutes, but it stays bound to platelets. **Onset and duration** Immediate by vein; platelet aggregation remains inhibited for 18 to 24 hours after the infusion. ## Indications - Percutaneous coronary intervention, together with aspirin and heparin, to prevent ischaemic complications. [Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/myocardial-infarction/) ## Adverse effects ### Common - Bleeding, the main adverse effect ### Serious (rare, important) - Major bleeding, more frequent with more intense heparin anticoagulation - Thrombocytopenia, from antibodies against the bound drug - Hypersensitivity and more severe thrombocytopenia if it is given again ## Contraindications - Active bleeding or bleeding tendency - Previous intracranial haemorrhage or a known cerebral vascular lesion - Recent ischaemic stroke or significant head trauma - Contraindications similar to those of fibrinolytic therapy ## Key interactions **Heparin** More intense heparin anticoagulation increases major bleeding. **Other antiplatelets, anticoagulants and fibrinolytics** Add to the risk of bleeding. ## What is monitored - Platelet count, to detect thrombocytopenia (pseudothrombocytopenia from clumping is ruled out) - Haemoglobin and access-site bleeding - aPTT or ACT when heparin is given together ## Administration and safety - Intravenous bolus followed by a continuous infusion during and after PCI - In major bleeding, platelet transfusion can help, because little free antibody remains after the infusion - Previous exposure is checked: re-administration raises the risk of reactions ## Nursing care - Ask whether the patient has received abciximab before - Check platelets early and repeat as planned - Watch the access site and look for bleeding in gums, urine and stools - Keep punctures to a minimum during and after the infusion ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Information in pregnancy is limited; it is used only when clearly needed. ## Memory aid ABCIXIMAB: an AntiBody (-ximab) that Clamps IIb/IIIa and stays on the platelet for a day. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why does abciximab's antiplatelet effect last much longer than its plasma half-life? The free antibody disappears in about 30 minutes, but the Fab stays bound to platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and inhibits aggregation for 18 to 24 hours. ## Which glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blocker is an antibody, which a cyclic peptide and which a small non-peptide molecule? Abciximab is an antibody Fab fragment, eptifibatide a cyclic peptide and tirofiban a small non-peptide molecule. ## Why can platelet transfusion help in bleeding after abciximab? Free antibody levels fall rapidly after the infusion, so newly transfused platelets are not blocked. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/abciximab/) ## Related drugs - [Eptifibatide](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/eptifibatide/) - [Tirofiban](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tirofiban/) - [Heparin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/heparin/) - [Acetylsalicylic acid](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/acetylsalicylic-acid/) ## Related conditions - [Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/myocardial-infarction/) [← Back to the class: Antiplatelet drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiplatelet-drugs/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [6V4P: Structure of the integrin AlphaIIbBeta3-Abciximab complex](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6V4P) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2020); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=B01AC&showdescription=no) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 36 (McGraw Hill, 2023). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/abciximab/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/abciximab/