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FDA-approved medicineaka Integrilin

Eptifibatide — Complete Research Guide (2026)

Last updated 2026-07-31

TL;DR

A cyclic heptapeptide glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (antiplatelet), FDA-approved for acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention.

What is Eptifibatide?

Eptifibatide (brand name Integrilin) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide that acts as a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, a class of intravenous antiplatelet drugs.

It is FDA-approved and used in hospitals for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI/angioplasty), not as a research or wellness peptide.

Evidence is strong and human: its approval rests on large randomized controlled trials (PURSUIT, IMPACT-II, ESPRIT).

How does Eptifibatide work?

Eptifibatide reversibly binds the platelet GP IIb/IIIa (integrin alphaIIb-beta3) receptor, blocking fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor from cross-linking platelets.

This inhibits the final common pathway of platelet aggregation, reducing thrombus formation.

What does the research say about Eptifibatide?

  • In acute coronary syndromes, eptifibatide reduced the 30-day rate of death or non-fatal myocardial infarction versus placebo. [1]
  • During planned coronary stenting, a double-bolus eptifibatide regimen lowered early ischemic events (death, MI, urgent revascularization). [3]
  • Given during percutaneous coronary intervention, eptifibatide reduced early ischemic complications, supporting periprocedural use. [2]

Clinical research & studies

The references below are the primary sources cited throughout this guide. Each links directly to PubMed or the regulator. Where evidence is preclinical (animal or in-vitro), that is stated rather than implied.

  • [1] Inhibition of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa with eptifibatide in patients with acute coronary syndromes — The PURSUIT Trial Investigators, New England Journal of Medicine 1998. (Randomized controlled trial (PURSUIT))
  • [2] Randomised placebo-controlled trial of effect of eptifibatide on complications of percutaneous coronary intervention: IMPACT-II. Integrilin to Minimise Platelet Aggregation and Coronary Thrombosis-II — The IMPACT-II Investigators, Lancet 1997. (Randomized controlled trial (IMPACT-II))
  • [3] Novel dosing regimen of eptifibatide in planned coronary stent implantation (ESPRIT): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial — The ESPRIT Investigators, Lancet 2000. (Randomized controlled trial (ESPRIT))
  • [4] Early versus delayed, provisional eptifibatide in acute coronary syndromes — Giugliano RP et al., New England Journal of Medicine 2009. (Randomized controlled trial (EARLY ACS))
  • [5] Comparison of heparin, bivalirudin, and different glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor regimens for anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention: A network meta-analysis — Lipinski MJ et al., Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine 2016. (Network meta-analysis)

Dosing context

This is not medical advice or a usage recommendation. Dosing figures are reported research context only, cited from the published literature.

In clinical use eptifibatide is given intravenously (bolus followed by infusion) by cardiology teams under continuous monitoring, with the dose reduced for renal impairment and avoided in dialysis patients.

This is provided as regulatory and educational context only and is not dosing guidance for any non-clinical use.

Side effects & safety profile

The principal risk is bleeding, ranging from minor access-site oozing to major and intracranial hemorrhage, and risk rises when combined with heparin and other antiplatelets.

Acute profound thrombocytopenia is an uncommon but recognized adverse effect requiring platelet monitoring.

Because routine early administration increased bleeding without added ischemic benefit versus delayed provisional use (EARLY ACS), timing and patient selection matter; it is a hospital-administered intravenous drug requiring dose adjustment in renal impairment and is contraindicated in active bleeding.

Stacking & combinations

In the cardiac-cath setting it is used alongside aspirin and an anticoagulant (heparin or bivalirudin), a combination that compounds bleeding risk and is managed only by clinicians.

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Frequently asked questions

No. It is an FDA-approved prescription antiplatelet drug (Integrilin) given intravenously in hospitals for acute coronary syndrome and angioplasty, not a peptide used for research dosing or wellness.

References

  1. [1] Inhibition of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa with eptifibatide in patients with acute coronary syndromes — The PURSUIT Trial Investigators, New England Journal of Medicine 1998. PMID: 9705684. View sourceStudy: Randomized controlled trial (PURSUIT)In 10,948 ACS patients, eptifibatide modestly reduced the 30-day composite of death or non-fatal MI versus placebo, at the cost of increased bleeding.
  2. [2] Randomised placebo-controlled trial of effect of eptifibatide on complications of percutaneous coronary intervention: IMPACT-II. Integrilin to Minimise Platelet Aggregation and Coronary Thrombosis-II — The IMPACT-II Investigators, Lancet 1997. PMID: 9164315. View sourceStudy: Randomized controlled trial (IMPACT-II)Eptifibatide during PCI reduced early ischemic complications versus placebo, though the benefit attenuated by 30 days in intention-to-treat analysis.
  3. [3] Novel dosing regimen of eptifibatide in planned coronary stent implantation (ESPRIT): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial — The ESPRIT Investigators, Lancet 2000. PMID: 11145489. View sourceStudy: Randomized controlled trial (ESPRIT)A double-bolus plus infusion eptifibatide regimen during elective stenting reduced ischemic events at 48 hours versus placebo, with more minor bleeding.
  4. [4] Early versus delayed, provisional eptifibatide in acute coronary syndromes — Giugliano RP et al., New England Journal of Medicine 2009. PMID: 19332455. View sourceStudy: Randomized controlled trial (EARLY ACS)Routine early eptifibatide did not significantly reduce ischemic events versus delayed provisional use and caused more bleeding and thrombocytopenia.
  5. [5] Comparison of heparin, bivalirudin, and different glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor regimens for anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention: A network meta-analysis — Lipinski MJ et al., Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine 2016. PMID: 27842901. View sourceStudy: Network meta-analysisComparative synthesis of anticoagulant/antiplatelet regimens during PCI, weighing ischemic protection against bleeding across heparin, bivalirudin, and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

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This article is for educational and research purposes only. Peptides discussed here are not approved for human consumption by the FDA, EMA, or equivalent regulators outside of specific clinical contexts. Always consult a licensed medical professional before any therapeutic use.