Argatroban is a prescription medication approved to prevent and treat blood clots in people with a condition known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). It is also approved for use as an anticoagulant in people who are undergoing
angioplasty procedures and have HIT or are at risk for HIT.
HIT is a potentially dangerous reaction that sometimes occurs due to heparin or heparin-like medications.
Who Makes This Medication?
Argatroban is made by a few different manufacturers, including GlaxoSmithKline and Sandoz, Inc.
How Does Argatroban Work?
This medication is a direct thrombin inhibitor.
It works by inhibiting the actions of thrombin, a naturally occurring protein in the body. Thrombin encourages clot formation in several different ways. By inhibiting thrombin, argatroban helps to prevent the formation of blood clots.
Like other "blood thinners," argatroban does not break down clots. Instead, it slows down clot formation, giving the body a chance to break down the clots naturally.
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