Aprotinin

Aprotinin is used for:

Reducing blood loss and the need for blood transfusions in patients undergoing certain types of heart surgery.

Aprotinin is a protease inhibitor. It works by reducing the inflammatory response associated with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Do NOT use Aprotinin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Aprotinin
• you have received Aprotinin within the past 12 months

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Aprotinin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Aprotinin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney problems
• if you have previously had heart surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aprotinin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin) or medicines that alter kidney function because the risk of kidney damage may be increased
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril) or fibrinolytics (eg, streptokinase) because the effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aprotinin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Aprotinin :

Use Aprotinin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Aprotinin . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Aprotinin is administered as an intravenous (IV; into a vein) injection only in a medical setting.
• If you miss a dose of Aprotinin , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aprotinin .

Important safety information:

• Lab tests, including kidney function and blood clotting tests, may be performed while you use Aprotinin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Aprotinin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aprotinin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aprotinin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Aprotinin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Aprotinin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800 -222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.

Aprotinin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. Keep Aprotinin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Aprotinin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Aprotinin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aprotinin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.