Lepirudin
Encyclopedia
Lepirudin is an anticoagulant
that functions as a direct thrombin inhibitor
.
Brand name: Refludan, Generic: Lepirudin rDNA for injection.
Lepirudin is a recombinant hirudin
derived from yeast cells. It is almost identical to
hirudin extracted from Hirudo medicinalis. It differs by the substitution of leucine
for isoleucine
at the N-terminal end of the molecule and the absence of a sulfate group on the tyrosine at position 63.
Lepirudin may be used as an anticoagulant when heparin
s (unfractionated or low-molecular-weight) are contra-indicated because of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
.
Anticoagulant
An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation of blood. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some anticoagulants are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis...
that functions as a direct thrombin inhibitor
Direct thrombin inhibitor
Direct thrombin inhibitors are a class of medication that act as anticoagulants by directly inhibiting the enzyme thrombin. Some are in clinical use, while others are undergoing clinical development...
.
Brand name: Refludan, Generic: Lepirudin rDNA for injection.
Lepirudin is a recombinant hirudin
Hirudin
Hirudin is a naturally occurring peptide in the salivary glands of medicinal leeches that has a blood anticoagulant property...
derived from yeast cells. It is almost identical to
hirudin extracted from Hirudo medicinalis. It differs by the substitution of leucine
Leucine
Leucine is a branched-chain α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2CH2. Leucine is classified as a hydrophobic amino acid due to its aliphatic isobutyl side chain. It is encoded by six codons and is a major component of the subunits in ferritin, astacin and other 'buffer' proteins...
for isoleucine
Isoleucine
Isoleucine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCHCH2CH3. It is an essential amino acid, which means that humans cannot synthesize it, so it must be ingested. Its codons are AUU, AUC and AUA....
at the N-terminal end of the molecule and the absence of a sulfate group on the tyrosine at position 63.
Lepirudin may be used as an anticoagulant when heparin
Heparin
Heparin , also known as unfractionated heparin, a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is widely used as an injectable anticoagulant, and has the highest negative charge density of any known biological molecule...
s (unfractionated or low-molecular-weight) are contra-indicated because of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is the development of thrombocytopenia , due to the administration of various forms of heparin, an anticoagulant...
.