Lepirudin keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent
unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Lepirudin is used to treat or prevent blood clots.
Lepirudin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lepirudin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lepirudin, or to a similar medication
called bivalirudin (Angiomax).
Before using lepirudin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or infection;
untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);
any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other medical
trauma;
a stomach ulcer or bleeding, intestinal bleeding;
a history of stroke; or
if you have recently had any type of biopsy.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
lepirudin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
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
with lepirudin and aspirin.
It is not known whether lepirudin 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 lepirudin?
Lepirudin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will most
likely receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
Lepirudin must be given slowly through an IV infusion. This medication is usually given
continuously for 2 to 10 days, or longer if needed.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on
a regular basis while you are receiving lepirudin.
Because lepirudin keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted
blood clots, it can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your
doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
What happens if I miss a dose of lepirudin?
Since lepirudin is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting as needed, it is not likely that
you will miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about lepirudin?
Your pharmacist has information about lepirudin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of lepirudin?
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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;
any bleeding that will not stop;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed or fainting);
or
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
pain in your back or pelvis;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset;
feeling restless or nervous;
headache;
fever;
sleep problems (insomnia); or
pain, bleeding, or irritation where the injection was given.
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about lepirudin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lepirudin, or to a similar medication
called bivalirudin (Angiomax).
Before using lepirudin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
kidney or liver disease, heart disease or infection, high blood pressure, stomach ulcer, a bleeding
or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia, a history of stroke or recent biopsy, or any major
bleeding from a surgery, injury, or medical trauma.
Tell your doctor if you are using or receiving blood thinners or any other medications
used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel
(Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid),
or urokinase (Abbokinase).
Because lepirudin keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted
blood clots, it can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your
doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
What should I avoid while taking lepirudin?
Lepirudin lowers blood cells that help your blood clot. This can make it easier for you to
bruise or bleed from an injury or minor cut. Avoid activities that increase your risk of a bruising
or bleeding injury. Use extra caution to avoid cuts when brushing your teeth or shaving.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lepirudin. Alcohol may increase your risk of
bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
What other drugs will affect lepirudin?
Before receiving lepirudin, tell your doctor if you are using or receiving any of the
following drugs:
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, ardeparin
(Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin
(Innohep); or
any other medications used to prevent blood clots, such as
alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine),
streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
lepirudin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect lepirudin. 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.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009