What is dalteparin?
Dalteparin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation of blood clots.
Dalteparin is used to treat or prevent blood clots in the veins, arteries, or lung that can be
caused by cancer or certain heart conditions. Dalteparin is also used before surgery to reduce the
risk of blood clots.
Dalteparin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dalteparin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to dalteparin, or if you
have:
-
uncontrolled bleeding;
-
a severe lack of platelets in your blood;
-
if you are having surgery with spinal or epidural
anesthesia; or
-
if you are allergic to pork products.
Before using dalteparin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
-
eye problems caused by diabetes or high blood pressure,
-
an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial
endocarditis);
-
uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
-
stomach or intestinal bleeding or disorder;
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease; or
-
if you have ever had a blood cell problem after receiving
heparin.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use dalteparin.
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 dalteparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take dalteparin?
Dalteparin is given as an injection under the skin of your stomach, upper thigh, or
buttocks. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may
be given instructions on how to inject your medicine at home. Do not use this medicine at home
if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles and
syringes used in giving the medicine.
You should be sitting or lying down while receiving a dalteparin injection.
Use a different place on your body each time you give yourself an injection. Your doctor
will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject dalteparin. Do not inject this
medicine into the same place two times in a row.
If you are using a single-dose prefilled syringe, follow the injection instructions closely.
Single-dose syringes come in two different types and the directions for use are not the same for
each type.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this
container out of the reach of children and pets.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments..
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using dalteparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store dalteparin vials (bottles) at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Once you have used a vial for the first time, the medicine will keep at room temperature for up to
2 weeks. Throw away the vial after 2 weeks have passed since you first used the vial, even if
there is still medicine left in it.
Do not use any medication that is discolored or that has particles in it. Call your doctor
for a new prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of dalteparin?
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 dalteparin?
Your pharmacist has information about dalteparin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dalteparin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; itching or burning skin; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
any bleeding that will not stop;
-
blood in your urine or stools, black or tarry stools;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
-
bruising, bleeding, swelling, or skin changes where the
medicine was injected;
-
nausea, sweating, feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
-
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
-
pain or swelling in one or both legs; or
-
trouble breathing.
Less serious side effects include mild pain, redness, or warmth where
the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any
unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dalteparin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to dalteparin or pork
products, or if you have uncontrolled bleeding, a severe lack of platelets in your blood, or if you
are having surgery with spinal or epidural anesthesia.
Before you receive dalteparin, tell your doctor if you have eye problems caused by
diabetes or high blood pressure, an infection of your heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a
bleeding or blood clotting disorder, stomach or intestinal bleeding, liver disease, or if you have
ever had a blood cell problem caused by heparin.
Avoid taking aspirin while you are receiving dalteparin, unless your doctor
recommends it as part of your treatment. Aspirin can increase your risk of bleeding.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use,
especially blood thinners, aspirin, NSAIDs (such as Advil, Motrin Aleve, Orudis), or other
medications used to treat or prevent blood clots. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using dalteparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
What should I avoid while taking dalteparin?
Avoid taking aspirin while you are receiving dalteparin unless your doctor
recommends it as part of your treatment. Aspirin can increase your risk of bleeding.
What other drugs will affect dalteparin?
There are many other drugs that can increase your risk of bleeding, and it is very
important to tell your doctor if you are using any of them before you start using dalteparin. This
includes:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
other medications used to prevent blood clots, such as
alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine),
streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase);
-
salicylates such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex,
Tricosal, and others; or
-
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal
(Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen
(Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone
(Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene).
There may be other drugs that can interact with dalteparin. 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 dalteparin?
