What is desirudin?
Desirudin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Desirudin prevents the formation of blood
clots.
Desirudin is used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (a type of blood clot), which may lead to
pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.
Desirudin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking desirudin?
Do not use desirudin if you
-
have a very low level of platelets in your blood;
-
have uncontrolled active bleeding;
-
have an allergy to desirudin or other blood thinners; or
-
cannot have accurate blood testing done prior to and
during dosing.
Before using desirudin, tell your doctor if you
-
have bacterial endocarditis;
-
have high blood pressure that is not being controlled;
-
need to have or have recently had surgery, a biopsy, or
another invasive procedure;
-
have a history of stroke or bleeding in the brain;
-
have a history of bleeding in the eyes (hemorrhagic
retinopathy);
-
have eye problems due to diabetes (diabetic retinopathy);
-
have hemophilia or another blood disorder;
-
have a stomach ulcer;
-
have liver disease; or
-
have kidney disease.
You may not be able to use desirudin, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Desirudin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
it will be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not
use desirudin without first talking to
your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether desirudin passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take desirudin?
Desirudin will probably be administered by a healthcare professional. If you are using
desirudin at home, administer the medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Desirudin is intended for subcutaneous (into the fat) injection. Do not inject this
medication intramuscularly (into the muscle) or intravenously (into the vein).
Do not mix desirudin with other injections or infusions.
If you are using the medication at home, your doctor or nurse will give you detailed
instructions on how to inject desirudin. It should be injected into the fat of the stomach or the upper
thighs. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Sit or lie down before receiving an injection. Lift a fold of skin and insert the needle
completely into the fold. The whole length of the needle should be introduced into the skin fold and
the skin fold should be held throughout the injection. To lessen bruising, do not rub the area after
injecting the medication. Rotate the injection sites as directed by your doctor.
Do not use any vial of desirudin that is discolored or that has particles in it.
Do not stop using this medication without first talking to your doctor.
It is important to use desirudin regularly to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment
with desirudin to monitor progress and side effects.
Store desirudin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. After mixing the
solution for injection, it can be stored for up to 24 hours at room temperature. Any unused
medication should be discarded after 24 hours.
What happens if I miss a dose of desirudin?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of desirudin.
Where can I get more information about desirudin?
Your pharmacist has information about desirudin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of desirudin?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using desirudin, and seek
emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
any prolonged or unexplained bleeding;
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pain, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg, or difficulty
breathing, which could indicate a blood clot; or
-
ulceration at the injection site.
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
use desirudin and notify your doctor if you experience
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mild pain, redness, or warmth at the injection site;
-
anemia (low level of red blood cells detected by blood
tests); or
-
nausea.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What is the most important information I should know about desirudin?
There is a risk of bleeding in the spinal or epidural space, possibly resulting in paralysis,
when desirudin is used along with spinal or epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture. This risk may be
increased by the use of indwelling epidural catheters or by the concomitant use of drugs that affect
blood clotting.
Desirudin is intended for subcutaneous (into the fat) injection. Do not inject this
medication intramuscularly (into the muscle) or intravenously (into the vein).
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and others), ketoprofen (Orudis
KT, Orudis, Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, and others), indomethacin (Indocin),
or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication without first talking to your doctor. These
medicines may lead to bleeding when taken with desirudin. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication while taking desirudin.
What should I avoid while taking desirudin?
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and others), ketoprofen (Orudis
KT, Orudis, Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, and others), indomethacin (Indocin),
or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication without first talking to your doctor. These
medicines may lead to bleeding when taken with desirudin. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication while taking desirudin.
What other drugs will affect desirudin?
There is a risk of bleeding in the spinal or epidural space, possibly resulting in paralysis,
when desirudin is used along with spinal or epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture. This risk may be
increased by the use of indwelling epidural catheters or by the concomitant use of drugs that affect
blood clotting.
Do not use desirudin with any of the following medicines without first talking to your
doctor:
-
aspirin,
-
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, and others), ketoprofen
(Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, and others), indomethacin
(Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen
(Ansaid), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene),
sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication;
-
dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin
(Lovenox), tinzaparin (Innohep);
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
aspirin and dipyridamole (Aggrenox);
-
ticlopidine (Ticlid) or clopidogrel (Plavix); or
-
dipyridamole (Persantine).
The drugs listed above may increase the effects of desirudin, which could
become dangerous. You may not be able to take desirudin, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with desirudin. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before using any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
What happens if I have an overdose of desirudin?
