Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using ANGIOMAX®?
ANGIOMAX® contains the active ingredient bivalirudin. ANGIOMAX® is is a medicine that stops blood clotting. It helps prevent unwanted blood clotting during an “angioplasty”.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using ANGIOMAX®? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use ANGIOMAX®?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to bivalirudin or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use ANGIOMAX®? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with ANGIOMAX® and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I use ANGIOMAX®?
- Your doctor will give you ANGIOMAX® into a vein as an injection and/or as a continuous infusion.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use ANGIOMAX®? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using ANGIOMAX®?
Things you should do |
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Things you should not do |
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Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using ANGIOMAX®? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
ANGIOMAX® (like other anticoagulants), may have unwanted or excessive bleeding as a side effect.
If any of the following happen, tell your medical or nursing staff immediately. (If you have been discharged from hospital, go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital)
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- tightness of the chest, wheezing
- itchiness or hives
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
ANGIOMAX®
Active ingredient(s): Bivalirudin (Bye-val-eh-roo-din)
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using ANGIOMAX®. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using ANGIOMAX®.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using ANGIOMAX®?
2. What should I know before I use ANGIOMAX®?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use ANGIOMAX®?
5. What should I know while using ANGIOMAX®?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using ANGIOMAX®?
ANGIOMAX® contains the active ingredient bivalirudin. ANGIOMAX® is a medicine that stops blood clotting (an anticoagulant). It helps prevent unwanted blood clotting during an “angioplasty”.
“Angioplasty” is the name of the medical procedure in which blocked blood vessels in the heart are unblocked. Angioplasty is also called “percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)”. Angioplasty improves blood flow to the heart muscle. Angioplasty helps heart problems such as angina. Your doctor unblocks the blood vessels in the heart using a fine tube (catheter) inserted through a blood vessel in the skin.
You need an anticoagulant during an angioplasty/PCI to stop unwanted blood clotting.
Angiomax® may also be given to you in hospital before and after angioplasty/PCI.
How ANGIOMAX® works
A protein, called “thrombin”, starts blood clotting.
ANGIOMAX® is an anticoagulant. It prevents blood clotting by stopping thrombin from working. This effect gradually wears off after about two hours in most people.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why ANGIOMAX® has been prescribed for you.
There is no information from clinical studies on the safety and effectiveness of ANGIOMAX® in children.
ANGIOMAX® is a “Prescription Only Medicine”. Use only for the person for whom it has been prescribed.
ANGIOMAX® is for use as an anticoagulant:
- in the treatment of patients with moderate to high risk acute coronary syndromes (ACS) (unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) who are undergoing early invasive management, and
- in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Angiomax® is intended for use with aspirin.
A P2Y12 antagonist (eg clopidogrel or ticlopidine) may be used in addition to aspirin.
2. What should I know before I use ANGIOMAX®?
Warnings
Do not use ANGIOMAX® if:
- have, or have recently had, any bleeding from your stomach, intestines, bladder or other organs, for example, if you have noticed abnormal blood in your stools or urine (except from menstrual bleeding)
- have severe uncontrolled high blood pressure
- have inflammation of the heart tissue (endocarditis)
- have severe kidney problems (such as kidney failure) or are on dialysis
- you are allergic to bivalirudin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet (such as mannitol and sodium hydroxide).
- Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
- you are allergic to bivalirudin, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet (such as mannitol and sodium hydroxide).
- Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- skin rash, itching or hives
Before you are given ANGIOMAX®, it is important for your doctor to know if you have medical problems other than the one ANGIOMAX® is being used for.
Check with your doctor if you:
- tend to bleed or bruise easily
- have kidney or liver disease
- have any other heart condition
- take any medicines for any other condition
Your risk of bleeding may increase:
- if you are already taking medicines, especially blood-thinners/anticoagulants or medicines to prevent blood clots (anticoagulants or antithrombotics e.g. warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor).
- if you have recently given birth or if you are pregnant
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
The active ingredient in ANGIOMAX® could be excreted into breast milk. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are given ANGIOMAX®.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
It may be necessary to change the dose or stop using one of the medicines. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription medicines, especially:
- other medicines used to stop blood clotting (anticoagulants), such as warfarin, or heparin (examples are Coumadin®, Clexane®, Fragmin® or Heparin Injection BP)
- medicines which affect platelets. (Platelets are blood particles involved in clotting.) Examples are aspirin (e.g. Disprin®), ticlopidine or clopidogrel (e.g. Plavix®)
- self-administered non-prescription medicines, such as St John’s Wort, ginseng and ginkgo biloba
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect ANGIOMAX®.
4. How do I use ANGIOMAX®?
How will ANGIOMAX® be given
Your doctor will give you ANGIOMAX® into a vein as an injection and/or as a continuous infusion.
During percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, angioplasty), ANGIOMAX® should be given with aspirin.
Your doctor will decide how much Angiomax® to give you.
If you have a kidney disease the doctor may change the usual dose.
5. What should I know while using ANGIOMAX®?
Things you should do
If you are taking warfarin, your doctor may do some blood clotting tests after your treatment with ANGIOMAX®.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using ANGIOMAX®.
Things you should not do
- Do not give ANGIOMAX® to anyone else, even if they appear to have the same condition as you.
Looking after your medicine
- ANGIOMAX® is usually stored in the clinic.
- ANGIOMAX® will be stored below 25°C.
After ANGIOMAX® powder has been dissolved, the doctor will use the solution as soon as possible.
NOTE: the dissolved ANGIOMAX® solution can be stored for up to 24 hours at between 2° and 8°C (the temperature of most standard refrigerators).
DO NOT FREEZE. Do not place in a freezer or freezing compartment of a refrigerator.
Note the expiry date on the pack. Do not use after this expiry date.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
ANGIOMAX® (like other anticoagulants), may have unwanted or excessive bleeding as a side effect.
Less serious side effects
Less serious side effects | What to do |
General:
Bleeding related:
Vascular related:
Pain:
Gastrointestinal related:
Nervous system related:
Skin related:
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
Serious side effects | What to do |
Serious allergic reaction:
Bleeding related:
Pain related:
Respiratory related:
Nervous system related:
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If any of the following happen, tell your medical or nursing staff immediately. (If you have been discharged from hospital, go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital) |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What ANGIOMAX® contains
Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
250 mg of bivalirudin. |
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
Mannitol sodium hydroxide |
Potential allergens | Nil |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
ANGIOMAX® does not contain:
- lactose
- gluten
- preservative
What ANGIOMAX® looks like
ANGIOMAX® is a white sterile powder in single-use, glass vials.
- 250 mg ANGIOMAX® Powder is in a 10 mL vial. It is prepared for use. The contents will be prepared for administration by your healthcare professional.
(AUST R 102155).
Who distributes ANGIOMAX®
ANGIOMAX® is sponsored in Australia by:
SciClone Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
3 Londonderry Drive,
Killarney Heights, NSW, 2087
Australia
email: sciclone.australia@SCICLONE.com
This leaflet was prepared in Jan 2021.
Published by MIMS October 2021