Fragmin®

Active ingredient

Dalteparin sodium

definition

Fragmin® is obtained by splitting off heparin. It is used to prevent a thrombus (blood clot) in the blood vessels. Because Fragmin® has a lower molecular weight than heparin, it has fewer side effects.

application areas

Fragmin® is used for the following diseases:

  • For the prophylaxis of blood clots after an operation in patients who are restricted in their range of motion due to an acute illness
  • on long-haul flights at increased Risk of thrombosis
  • for the therapy of deep-lying clots in the venous system
  • for the treatment of blood flow restrictions in the heart muscle

Contraindications

As with other anticoagulants, there are situations with Fragmin® where it should not be prescribed.

These include:

  • previous hypersensitivity to Dalteparin sodium, other heparin drugs, or pork
  • Thrombocytopenia (too few platelets in the body)
  • Bleeding inside the eye, brain, ear or other internal organs
  • known active existing tuberculosis, known bleeding disorders that can occur with a lack of clotting factors, severe kidney or liver disease
  • disproportionately heavy menstrual bleeding
  • uncontrolled severe high blood pressure, known aneurysms
  • alcoholism
  • Kidneys or Ureteral stones

Careful application

Fragmin® should only be used with great caution and medical checks if:

  • simultaneous therapy with other orally taken anticoagulants and / or Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
  • if one is suspected tumor with increased risk of bleeding, existing stomach / duodenal ulcer
  • Retinal disease as a result of a poorly adjusted Diabetes mellitus or High blood pressure
  • if during treatment with Fragmin® steeply sloping Platelet counts to be established. Here, the risk-benefit ratio must be weighed and possibly the use of Fragmin® canceled
  • at the first signs of side effects you should contact your doctor immediately.

pregnancy and breast feeding period:

Please let the doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. As there are no studies too Fragmin® in pregnancy, you can only fall back on experience reports. These show no increased probability of malformations. Animal experiments have also shown no fetus-damaging properties of Fragmin®.

Please also read: Medication during pregnancy

If you are taking an anticoagulant, you must not take one during labor Epidural anesthesia (also called cross stitch, anesthesia in the spinal cord).

Fragmin® can pass into breast milk in small amounts and thus have an anticoagulant effect on the infant's blood. However, this is very unlikely. The doctor and mother decide together whether the therapy should continue.

Side effects

As with all medicines, Fragmin® Side effects occur. As soon as these occur you should contact your doctor immediately. There may be increased bleeding. These occur mainly on the skin, mucous membranes, in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in the genital and urinary areas. The bleeding is usually very mild, but rarely can it be so severe that it becomes life-threatening. Hematomas occur most often. In addition, thrombocytopenia (a drop in blood platelets) and a short-term increase in the levels of life, in addition to small bleeding at the injection site, often occur.

Occasional side effects are hypersensitivity reactions to Fragmin® products (hives, itching, shortness of breath) and skin reactions at the injection site. These include discoloration, redness, induration, swelling and pain.

Other side effects that are rare are:

a sub-function of the Adrenal gland with shifted electrolyte values, temporary hair loss, skin changes (with skin necrosis). In addition, a slow heartbeat with a drop in blood pressure, cerebral haemorrhage, erectile dysfunction, blood in the stool and osteoporosis (after long-term therapy) can occur.

application

Please use Fragmin® as explained to you by your doctor. Since it has to be injected subcutaneously, i.e. under the skin, it is best to form a fold of skin with one hand on the side of the stomach. With the other hand, insert the needle vertically into the belly fold and slowly inject the contents of the syringe until it stops. Then carefully remove the needle. The dosage and duration of therapy with Fragmin® is individually tailored by your doctor and should be adhered to.