vorapaxar

What is the most important information I should know about vorapaxar?

What is 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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking vorapaxar?

• 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).

How should I take vorapaxar?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take vorapaxar with or without food.

You may also need to take aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix). Follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.

If you need surgery or any dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using vorapaxar. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time to prevent bleeding.

You should not stop using vorapaxar suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Vorapaxar can have long lasting effects in your body. You may still bleed more easily for as long as 4 weeks after you stop using this medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking vorapaxar?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of vorapaxar?

• 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 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.

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.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about vorapaxar.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 12/16/2019.