cangrelor (Kengreal)

• Cangrelor is an anti-platelet drug, that is, a drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood clot. Cangrelor prevents blood clots by reversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets. It belongs to a class of drugs called P2Y12 inhibitors. Other drugs in this class include
  • clopidogrel (Plavix),
  • ticagrelor (Brilinta), and
  • prasugrel (Effient).
• Cangrelor is different from other P2Y12 inhibitors because it prevents clotting faster and its effect does not last as long after it is stopped. After administration, platelet inhibition begins within 2 minutes, lasts for the duration of the infusion, and platelet function returns to normal within 1 hour after stopping the infusion.

What brand names are available for cangrelor?

Kengreal

Is cangrelor available as a generic drug?

No

Do I need a prescription for cangrelor?

Yes

• Cangrelor is used during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for reducing the risk of heart attacks, repeat coronary revascularization, and stent thrombosis (ST) in patients who have not been treated with another P2Y12 platelet inhibitor and are not receiving a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, another class of platelet inhibitors.

The most common adverse effect of cangrelor are:

• Bleeding
• Shortness of breath

Other side effects include:

• Increased risk of kidney impairment

Possible serious side effects include:

• Allergic reactions
• Severe bleeding
• Anaphylaxis

• Cangrelor is administered by intravenous (IV) infusion. The recommended dose is a 30 mcg/kg IV bolus before PCI followed immediately by a 4 mcg/kg/min IV maintenance infusion.
• The maintenance infusion should be continued for at least 2 hours or for the duration of PCI, whichever is longer.

• If clopidogrel or prasugrel are given during cangrelor infusion, they will have no antiplatelet effect until the next dose is given. Therefore clopidogrel and prasugrel should not be given until the cangrelor infusion is stopped.

• Use of cangrelor in pregnant females has not been adequately studied.
• It is not known whether cangrelor is excreted in human milk.

What preparations of cangrelor are available?

Powder for injection: 50 mg vial (10 ml)

How should I keep cangrelor stored?

Vials should be stored at room temperature, between 20 C - 25 C (68 F - 77 F).