Eptifibatide is a kind of synthetic cyclic hexapeptide consisting of 6 amino acids and 1 mercaptopropionyl residue. It is capable of binding to the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa of human platelets and inhibiting the platelet aggregation, thus blocking the binding of the fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor and other adhesive ligands. It is indicated for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is able to reduce the risk of acute cardiac ischemic events in patients with unstable angina or non-ST segment-elevation myocardial infection. It is often used in combination with aspirin or clopidogrel and heparin. It can be manufactured through solution-phase peptide synthesis, and can be purified by preparative reverse-phase liquid chromatography and lyophilization.
