Tirofiban

Class	Antiplatelet agent
Chemistry	Tyrosine derivative
Routes of administration	IV only
Absorption	2.2% oral bioavailability (in rats...)
Solubility	pKa 3.7; slightly soluble in water
Distribution	VOD = 0.4-1.0L/kg; 64% protein bound
Metabolism	Minimal metabolism
Elimination	Cleared renally as unchanged drug
Time course of action	Half-life about 2 hours. Clinical effect duration:platelet activity returns to normal 4-8 hours after the infusion is ceased
Target receptor	GP IIb/IIIa receptor
Mechanism of action	Tirofiban binds to the GPIIb/IIIa receptor which inhibits platelet aggregation by preventing the binding of fibrinogen fibrin and von Willebrand factor, thus preventing platelet crosslinking. This binding is reversible.
Clinical effects	Apart from the risk of bleeding (which is serious!), no other major side effects
Literature reference	TGA PI document
CICM details of understanding	Level 3
Mentioned around Deranged Physiology	Antiplatelet agents
Related SAQs	Question 3 from thw second paper of 2013 (mechanism) Question 5 from the second paper of 2010 (mechanism)