Lepirudin

It is a polypeptide and highly specific direct thrombin antagonist whereas it shows no effect on antithrombin-III.


Production:
It is synthesized by recombinant DNA technology in yeast cells.

Mechanism of action:
One molecule of lepirudin gets bind to one molecule of thrombin causing stoppage of thrombogenic effect of thrombin.

Administration:
It is administered intravenously.

Pharmacokinetics:
It undergoes hydrolysis in the body. Its half life is 1 hour. Drug and its metabolites are excreted in the urine.

Therapeutic uses:
It is used effectively in the treatment of thrombocytopenia induced by heparin.

It is also used for other thromboembolic disorders and also causes stoppage of further thromboembolic complications.

Adverse effects:
It may cause bleeding. The drug forms complex with antibody in the body and anticoagulant effect may be elevated, than required, by the slower rate of excretion of the drug-antibody complex from the body.

It may also cause certain allergic reactions of the skin and air passages.