Uses
Dalteparin injection is used in combination with aspirin to prevent serious or life-threatening complications from angina (chest pain) and heart attacks. Dalteparin is also used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT; a blood clot, usually in the leg), which can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE; a blood clot in the lung), in people who are on bedrest or who are having hip replacement or abdominal surgery. It is also used treat DVT or PE and prevent it from happening again in children one month of age and older, and in adults with DVT or PE who have cancer. Dalteparin is in a class of medications called anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’). It works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood.
Side Effects Of Dalteparin Injection
Dalteparin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nosebleeds
- redness, pain, bruising, or sores at the injection site
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- dark red spots under the skin or in the mouth
- vomiting or spitting up blood or brown material that resembles coffee grounds
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- blood in urine
- red or dark-brown urine
- excessive menstrual bleeding
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- hives, rash
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
Dalteparin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using dalteparin injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dalteparin, heparin, pork products, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in dalteparin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have heavy bleeding anywhere in your body that cannot be stopped or if you have or have ever had a reaction to heparin that caused a low level of platelets (a type of blood cells needed for normal clotting) in your blood. Your doctor may tell you not to use dalteparin.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia (a condition in which the blood does not clot normally), ulcers or delicate, swollen blood vessels in your stomach or intestines, high blood pressure, endocarditis (an infection in the heart), a stroke or ministroke (TIA), eye disease due to high blood pressure or diabetes, or liver or kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you have recently had brain, spine, or eye surgery, or if you recently had bleeding from your stomach or intestines.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using dalteparin injection, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using dalteparin injection.
Dosage Of Dalteparin Injection
Dalteparin comes as a solution (liquid) in vials and prefilled syringes to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). When used for adults, it is usually given once a day, but may be given twice a day for certain conditions. When used for children, it is usually given twice a day. The length of your treatment depends on the condition that you have and how well your body responds to the medication. If you are using dalteparin to prevent complications from angina and heart attacks it is usually given for 5 to 8 days. If you are using dalteparin to prevent DVT after surgery, it is usually given on the day of surgery, and for 5 to 10 days after surgery. . If you are using dalteparin to prevent DVT in people who are on bedrest, it is usually given for 12 to 14 days. If you have cancer and dalteparin is used to treat and prevent DVT, you may need to use the medication for up to 6 months.
Dalteparin may be given to you by a nurse or other healthcare provider, or you may be told to inject the medication at home. If you will be using dalteparin at home, a healthcare provider will show you how to inject the medication, Be sure that you understand these directions. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions about where on your body you should inject dalteparin, how to give the injection, what type of syringe to use, or how to dispose of used needles and syringes after you inject the medication. Inject the medication at about the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use dalteparin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving dalteparin injection.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
