Have you ever been told by a doctor that you are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke? In such cases, there are special medications that can be given to control the blood clotting process in our body. Today, we are going to talk about an injection into a vein that is only given in a hospital. The name of this medication is Cangrelor.
Simply put, what is Cangrelor?
Cangrelor is a medicine that reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other blood clots . We have small cells called platelets in our blood. When we get injured, these platelets normally clump together to form a clot to stop bleeding. But sometimes, if these blood clots form in the blood vessels, they can block blood flow to the heart and brain.
Simply put, this drug called Cangrelor works by preventing platelets from clumping together and forming unwanted blood clots. We call this class of drugs antiplatelets .
This medication is most commonly known by the brand name Kengreal.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is important that your medical team is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this medicine. Therefore, be sure to tell them if any of the following apply to you.
- If you have bleeding disorders .
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to Cangrelor or any other medicine, food, dye, or preservative.
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon .
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child .
Based on this information, the doctor will decide whether this medication is suitable for you or not.
How do you get this medicine?
This is not a medicine that you can take home. This is a medicine that is injected into a vein by a medical team in a hospital. So you don't have to worry about how the medicine is given, all of that will be taken care of by the doctors and nursing staff.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
This medicine is given in hospital under medical supervision, so the chances of this happening are usually very low. However, if something does happen, the hospital staff are prepared to take the necessary steps. In such a case, they will inform the National Poisons Information Centre or the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) at the National Hospital and take the necessary action.
What if I miss a dose?
This is given at the hospital at the right time, so you don't have to worry about missing a dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, not just those prescribed by a doctor, but also those you buy from a pharmacy, traditional medicines, vitamins, and herbs. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol, as some things can interact with these medicines.
| Possible reactions with Cangrelor | |
|---|---|
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine. | |
| Abrocitinib | Defibrotide |
| There is a possibility of a reaction with this medicine (inform your doctor) | |
| Clopidogrel | Prasugrel |
Remember, this list is not complete, so it is important for your safety to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What should you consider when taking medication?
Your medical team will monitor you closely while you are taking this medicine. You may also need to have some blood work done to see how the medicine is working and how it is affecting your body.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Notify your doctor or medical team immediately. | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Bleeding | Blood in the stool, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on the skin, unusual bruising of the skin. |
| Tell your medical team if it persists or is bothersome. | |
| Discomfort at the injection site | Pain, redness, or slight swelling at the injection site. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. In addition, if you experience anything unusual, tell your doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Cangrelor is a special injection given into a vein in a hospital to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions (especially bleeding disorders) and allergies.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and even herbal products you are taking.
- If you experience unusual bleeding, skin rash, or other serious side effects while taking the medication, notify your medical team immediately.
- Since this medicine is not a take-home medicine, you don't have to worry about storing it.
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