What is cangrelor, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- Cangrelor is an anti-platelet drug, that is, a drug
that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood
clot. Cangrelor prevents
blood clots by
reversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing
adenosine
diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets. It belongs to a class of
drugs
called P2Y12 inhibitors. Other drugs in this class include- clopidogrel (Plavix),
- ticagrelor (Brilinta), and
- prasugrel (Effient).
- Cangrelor is different from
other P2Y12 inhibitors because it prevents clotting faster and its effect does
not last as long after it is stopped. After administration, platelet inhibition
begins within 2 minutes, lasts for the duration of the infusion, and platelet
function returns to normal within 1 hour after stopping the infusion.
What brand names are available for cangrelor?
Kengreal
Is cangrelor available as a generic drug?
No
Do I need a prescription for cangrelor?
Yes
What are the uses for cangrelor?
- Cangrelor is used during
percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) for reducing the risk of
heart attacks, repeat coronary revascularization,
and stent thrombosis (ST) in patients who have not been treated with another P2Y12 platelet inhibitor and are not receiving a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
inhibitor, another class of platelet inhibitors.
What are the side effects of cangrelor?
The most common adverse effect of cangrelor are:
- Bleeding
- Shortness of breath
Other side effects include:
- Increased risk of kidney impairment
Possible serious side effects include:
- Allergic reactions
- Severe bleeding
- Anaphylaxis
QUESTION
In the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease.
See Answer
What is the dosage for cangrelor?
- Cangrelor is administered by intravenous (IV) infusion. The
recommended dose is a 30 mcg/kg IV bolus before PCI followed immediately by a 4
mcg/kg/min IV maintenance infusion. - The maintenance infusion should be continued
for at least 2 hours or for the duration of PCI, whichever is longer.
Which drugs or supplements interact with cangrelor?
- If clopidogrel or prasugrel are given during cangrelor infusion, they will have no antiplatelet effect until the next dose is given. Therefore clopidogrel and prasugrel should not be given until the cangrelor infusion is stopped.
Is cangrelor safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Use of cangrelor in
pregnant females has not been adequately
studied. - It is not known whether cangrelor is excreted in human milk.
What else should I know about cangrelor?
What preparations of cangrelor are available?
Powder for injection: 50 mg vial (10 ml)
How should I keep cangrelor stored?
Vials should be stored at room temperature, between 20 C – 25 C (68 F – 77
F).