Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data
Drug Category
- Anticoagulants
- Antithrombotic Agents
Dosage Forms
- Powder for solution
- Solution (IV infusion and injection)
Brands / Synonyms
Hirudin variant-1; Refludan; Refludan (Berlex Labs)
Description
Lepirudin is identical to natural hirudin except for substitution of leucine for isoleucine at the N-terminal end of the molecule and the absence of a sulfate group on the tyrosine at position 63. It is produced via yeast cells.
Indications
For the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Pharmacology
Lepirudin is used to break up clots and to reduce thrombocytopenia. It binds to thrombin and prevents thrombus or clot formation. It is a highly potent, selective, and essentially irreversible inhibitor of thrombin and clot-bond thrombin. Lepirudin requires no cofactor for its anticoagulant action.
Mechanism of Action
Lepirudin forms a stable non-covalent complex with alpha-thrombin, thereby abolishing its ability to cleave fibrinogen and initiate the clotting cascade.
Absorption
Not Available
Toxicity
Not Available
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Not Available
Contraindications
Not Available
Drug Interactions
Not Available
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