What is tinzaparin?
Tinzaparin is a blood thinner (anticoagulant) that prevents blood clots from forming in the body.
Tinzaparin is used together with warfarin (Coumadin) to treat a type of blood clot called deep
vein thrombosis, or DVT. This condition sometimes occurs with a blood clot in lungs (pulmonary
embolism).
Tinzaparin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tinzaparin?
You should not use this medication if you have low levels of blood platelets caused by using
heparin, or if you are allergic to:
-
tinzaparin;
-
heparin;
-
sulfites;
-
benzyl alcohol; or
-
pork products.
Tinzaparin may cause severe or life-threatening side effects if
you use it while you have any active bleeding or hemorrhage, or if you have:
-
a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;
-
a history of hemorrhagic stroke;
-
bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart's inner layer);
-
untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
stomach bleeding or ulcer;
-
liver failure;
-
amyloidosis (a build-up of certain proteins in tissues and
organs of the body);
-
if you have had recent surgery on your brain, spine, or eyes;
or
-
if you are 70 years or older and have not recently had your
kidney function checked.
Tinzaparin may cause bleeding around the brain or spinal
cord if it is given while you are using certain other drugs that can prevent blood from clotting.
. Before you receive tinzaparin, tell your doctor if you have recently used any of the following
drugs:
-
abciximab (ReoPro);
-
ardeparin (Normiflo);
-
argatroban (Acova);
-
bivalirudin (Angiomax);
-
cilostazol (Pletal);
-
clopidogrel (Plavix);
-
dipyridamole (Persantine);
-
enoxaparin (Lovenox);
-
eptifibatide (Integrelin);
-
fondaparinux (Arixtra);
-
heparin;
-
lepirudin (Refludan);
-
ticlopidine (Ticlid);
-
tirofiban (Aggrastat); or
-
an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), ketorolac (Toradol), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac
(Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), and
others.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely use tinzaparin. Before receiving tinzaparin, tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether tinzaparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take tinzaparin?
Tinzaparin must not be used as a substitute for heparin. These two drugs are manufactured
differently and have different dosages.
Tinzaparin is given as an injection under the skin of your stomach. Your doctor, nurse, or other
healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at
home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and
properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
This medication is usually given every day until your bleeding condition improves. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
Do not draw your tinzaparin dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection.
Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new
prescription.
Use a different place on your stomach each time you inject this medication. Do not inject
tinzaparin into the same skin area two times in a row.
Do not inject tinzaparin into a muscle or a vein.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your
blood and your stool (bowel movement) will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your nerve and
muscle function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you undergo a spinal tap or any type of spinal anesthesia (such as an epidural), tell the
doctor ahead of time that you are using tinzaparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short
time before having such procedures.
Store tinzaparin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of tinzaparin?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about tinzaparin?
Your pharmacist has information about tinzaparin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of tinzaparin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using tinzaparin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
unusual bleeding such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or any
bleeding that will not stop;
-
pale skin, weakness, easy bruising, purple or red pinpoint
spots under your skin;
-
unexpected vaginal bleeding;
-
blood in your urine or stools, black or tarry stools;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
-
numbness or tingly feeling, trouble swallowing;
-
loss of movement in any part of your body;
-
chest pain, stomach pain, shortness of breath;
-
fever;
-
feeling like you might pass out; or
-
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer;
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild headache, dizziness;
-
back pain, mild joint or muscle pain;
-
pain, irritation, swelling, or bruising of the skin where the
medicine was injected;
-
nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, gas;
-
pain or burning when you urinate;
-
diarrhea, constipation; or
-
sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about tinzaparin?
You should not use this medication if you have low levels of blood platelets caused by using
heparin, or if you are allergic to tinzaparin, heparin, sulfites, benzyl alcohol, or pork products.
Tinzaparin may cause severe or life-threatening side effects if you use it while
you have any active bleeding or hemorrhage, or if you have:
a bleeding disorder,
hemorrhagic stroke, bacterial endocarditis, severe high blood pressure, stomach bleeding, liver failure,
amyloidosis (a build-up of certain proteins in tissues and organs of the body), recent brain/spine or eye
surgery, or if you are 70 years or older and have not recently had your kidney function checked.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you have recently used, especially drugs that can
prevent blood from clotting, such as heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin
(Lovenox), ticlopidine (Ticlid), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and others.
Call your doctor at once if you have any signs of bleeding, such as pale skin, weakness,
easy bruising, unexpected vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood, or any
bleeding that will not stop.
If you undergo a spinal tap or any type of spinal anesthesia (such as an epidural), tell the
doctor ahead of time that you are using tinzaparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short
time before having such procedures.
What should I avoid while taking tinzaparin?
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent
bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
What other drugs will affect tinzaparin?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:
-
dextran (Gentran, Hyskon);
-
salicylates such as aspirin, Backache Relief Extra Strength,
Novasal, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Doan's Pills Extra Strength, Tricosal, and others;
-
other medication used to prevent blood clots, such as
alteplase (Activase), or urokinase (Abbokinase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
tinzaparin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of tinzaparin?
