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cangrelor

Kengrexal · ATC code B01

Also known as: Kangrelor

Key facts
Active substance
cangrelor
ATC code
B01
Authorisation
centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
Dosage forms
Kengrexal 50 mg powder for concentrate for solution for injection/infusion
Marketing authorisation holder
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Cangrelor (Kengrexal) is an intravenous P2Y12 platelet inhibitor used to reduce thrombotic events during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

What it is used for

  • Co-administered with acetylsalicylic acid to reduce thrombotic cardiovascular events in adults with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI who have not received an oral P2Y12 inhibitor before the procedure and in whom oral P2Y12 therapy is not feasible or desirable.

Dosing

  • 30 micrograms/kg intravenous bolus followed immediately by a 4 micrograms/kg/min intravenous infusion.
  • Bolus and infusion start before the procedure and continue for at least two hours or the duration of the procedure, whichever is longer; at the physician's discretion up to a total of four hours.
  • Transition to oral P2Y12 therapy with a loading dose: clopidogrel immediately after the infusion stops; prasugrel immediately after or up to 30 minutes before the end of the infusion; ticagrelor at any time during or immediately after the infusion.
  • No dose adjustment in the elderly or in renal or hepatic impairment.
  • For use by physicians experienced in acute coronary care or coronary intervention, in hospital.

Contraindications

  • Active bleeding or increased bleeding risk (impaired haemostasis, irreversible coagulation disorders, recent major surgery or trauma, uncontrolled severe hypertension).
  • Any history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient.

Important warnings

  • Increased risk of bleeding, mostly at the arterial puncture site; an unexplained fall in blood pressure or haematocrit should prompt consideration of haemorrhage and cessation of the infusion.
  • More intracranial bleeds at 30 days than with clopidogrel (0.07% vs 0.02%).
  • Increased risk of cardiac tamponade.
  • Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema; increased risk of dyspnoea.
  • Caution in severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-30 mL/min) because of more frequent worsening of renal function.
  • Half-life three to six minutes; platelet function is restored within 60 minutes after stopping the infusion.

Side effects

  • Most common: mild and moderate bleeding and dyspnoea.
  • Serious: severe or life-threatening bleeding and hypersensitivity.
  • Others include haematoma, ecchymosis, cardiac tamponade, intracranial haemorrhage and acute renal failure.

Interactions

  • Clopidogrel given during the cangrelor infusion does not achieve its expected platelet inhibition; 600 mg clopidogrel immediately after the infusion stops gives the full effect.
  • Caution with medicines that increase bleeding risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Not recommended during pregnancy.
  • A risk to the breast-fed infant cannot be excluded.

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Package leaflet, verbatim

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

EU – centrally authorised (all member states)

  • KengrexalChiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. · EMEA/H/C/003773

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. European Medicines Agency. Kengrexal – EPAR, Product Information. 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/kengrexal-epar-product-information_en.pdf

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.