[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/) › Eptifibatide

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Antiplatelet drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiplatelet-drugs/)

# Eptifibatide

An intravenous cyclic peptide that blocks the platelet fibrinogen receptor (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa), the final step of aggregation.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Antiplatelet drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiplatelet-drugs/)
- Receptor: Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3)
- ATC code: B01AC16

◎**Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3)**Eptifibatide

ⓘ The figure shows the head of human integrin αIIbβ3 with eptifibatide in the fibrinogen-binding site (the crystal also holds an antibody fragment used to crystallise it); eptifibatide is a peptide, so no small-molecule ligand is marked.

**Target in 3D:** Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3). PDB structure 2VDN (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/2VDN) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Eptifibatide is a cyclic heptapeptide. It occupies glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, the receptor through which fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and other adhesive proteins link activated platelets together, so aggregation stops whatever the trigger. The inhibition is reversible: when the infusion stops, eptifibatide dissociates and platelet function recovers.

- Eptifibatide occupies the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor
- Fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor can no longer bridge platelets
- Aggregation stops; it recovers after the infusion ends

## Pharmacokinetics

**Distribution**
Not extensively bound to plasma proteins.

**Elimination**
The kidneys account for about half of its clearance; it is not used in patients who depend on dialysis.

**Half-life**
About 2.5 hours.

**Onset and duration**
Immediate by vein; inhibition is reversible after the infusion stops.

## Indications

- Acute coronary syndrome managed medically or with percutaneous coronary intervention. [Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/myocardial-infarction/)
- Percutaneous coronary intervention, including stenting.

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Bleeding, especially at the femoral access site
- Low blood pressure

### Serious (rare, important)

- Serious bleeding, including intracranial bleeding
- Acute profound thrombocytopenia
- Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia

## Contraindications

- Bleeding tendency or bleeding within the previous 30 days
- Severe uncontrolled hypertension
- Major surgery within the past 6 weeks
- Stroke within 30 days or any history of haemorrhagic stroke
- Another intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor; dependence on dialysis

## Key interactions

**Heparin, aspirin, other antiplatelets, thrombolytics and long-term NSAIDs**
Increase the risk of bleeding.

**Other glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors**
Not combined.

## What is monitored

- Platelet count before and during treatment
- Haemoglobin, haematocrit and kidney function
- aPTT or ACT when heparin is given together
- Femoral access site and signs of bleeding

## Administration and safety

- Intravenous bolus followed by infusion with a pump; bolus vials and infusion vials have different strengths
- Vascular punctures, catheters and intramuscular injections are kept to a minimum
- Stopped at once, with heparin, if serious bleeding or thrombocytopenia appears

## Nursing care

- Check baseline platelets, haemoglobin, kidney function and blood pressure
- Press on the access site and check groin and distal pulses often after sheath removal
- Watch gums, urine, stools and neurological status for bleeding
- Report a sudden drop in platelets

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Human data are limited; it is used only when clearly needed.

## Memory aid

EPTIfibatide: a PepTIde ring that plugs IIb/IIIa; it leaves when the drip stops.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which platelet receptor does eptifibatide block, and what does that prevent?

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3); it stops fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor from bridging platelets, the final common step of aggregation.

## Which laboratory value is checked to detect a serious haematological reaction to eptifibatide?

The platelet count: acute profound thrombocytopenia can occur.

## Why is eptifibatide avoided in patients who depend on dialysis?

About half of its clearance is renal, so it accumulates when the kidneys do not work.

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## Related drugs

- [Tirofiban](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tirofiban/)
- [Clopidogrel](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/clopidogrel/)
- [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: [DailyMed - EPTIFIBATIDE injection, solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c0781dae-3ef6-4cab-b084-01d2e45f3764) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=B01AC&showdescription=no) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [2VDN: Re-refinement of Integrin AlphaIIbBeta3 Headpiece Bound to Antagonist Eptifibatide](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/2VDN) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2008).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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