What is "abciximab"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) An antiplatelet drug used to reduce the risk of a heart attack during coronary surgery.

Abciximab (previously known as c7E3 Fab), a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist manufactured by Janssen Biologics BV and distributed by Eli Lilly under the trade name ReoPro, is a platelet aggregation inhibitor mainly used during and after coronary artery procedures like angioplasty to prevent platelets from sticking together and causing thrombus ( blood clot) formation within the coronary artery. It is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor.

While abciximab has a short plasma half-life, due to its strong affinity for its receptor on the platelets, it may occupy some receptors for weeks. In practice, platelet aggregation gradually returns to normal about 96 to 120 hours after discontinuation of the drug.(Tanguay, J.F., Eur Heart J 1999; 1 (suppl E): E27-E35 Abciximab is made from the Fab fragments of an immunoglobulin that targets the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor on the platelet membrane.