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| Brand Names |
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| Innohep® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Low Molecular Weight Heparin |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- People who have had recent spinal anesthesia, epidurals, or spinal
taps are more likely to have bleeding problems when started on this medicine.
This bleeding rarely happens but can be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if
you have had any spinal procedures. Do not take any other blood-thinner
medicines.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to heparin, sulfites, benzyl alcohol, pork,
tinzaparin, or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have serious bleeding problems or a low platelet count due to
heparin.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat blood clots in the veins. These are
called deep-vein thrombosis or DVT. It can also treat parts of clots that have
broken off and traveled to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Tinzaparin is used
with a medicine that is taken by mouth called warfarin
(Coumadin®). The tinzaparin is stopped when the warfarin
starts working fully. Warfarin usually takes about 5-7 days to
work.
|
|
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Tinzaparin changes the body's clotting system. It thins the blood to
prevent other clots from forming. Your body dissolves the clot or embolism that
is already there.
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|
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- This medicine is given by needle into the fatty part of the skin. Your
healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot at home.
- Throw away needles in red box and return box to healthcare provider
when full.
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|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible. Try not to miss doses since
this is a once-a-day medicine and you need its blood thinning effects each day.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for blood thinner.
- If you have had an epidural or spinal anesthesia recently tell
healthcare provider.
- If you have any problems with bleeding, high blood pressure, an ulcer
in the stomach or intestines, a history of a stroke, any recent surgery
including dental surgery, liver disease, diabetes with eye problems, talk with
healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Use caution to prevent
injury and avoid falls or accidents. Tell dentists, surgeons, and other
healthcare providers about this medicine. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
- Avoid other blood thinners (aspirin, aspirin-containing products,
ibuprofen or like products, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo,
vitamin E) unless approved by healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Bleeding problems. This may include nosebleeds, coughing up blood,
blood in the urine or stool, or bruising.
- If you are female this could also mean vaginal bleeding or heavier
bleeding from your monthly period.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for signs and symptoms of bleeding. These would include bleeding
that does not stop from cuts or from your nose, more bleeding than usual when
you brush your teeth, unusual colored urine or stool (dark brown or red urine;
red or black stool), unusual bruising (black and blue marks on your skin),
throwing up or coughing up blood.
- If you are female, watch for unusual vaginal bleeding or more bleeding
than usual during your period.
- Report any bleeding symptoms to healthcare provider right away.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider. Your warfarin therapy
will need checking frequently at first and then periodically when you are stable
on it.
- Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist every 6
months.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest, fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe headache.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Blood in the stool or toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Numbness or tingling of the leg, unable to walk or move.
- Any falls or accidents, especially if you hit your head. Call
healthcare provider even if you feel fine.
- Any rash.
- Unusual bruising or any
bleeding.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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