How does it work?

Dalteparin is a low molecular weight heparin. Heparin and dalteparin (anticoagulants) work by interfering with the body's natural blood clotting mechanism. This mechanism involves a series of complex pathways. Heparin and dalteparin inactivate a compound in this pathway called thrombin, which plays an important role in blood clot formation. Therefore Heparin and Dalteparin prevents the formation of blood clots in the body. Dalteparin has many advantages over normal heparin. These include a more effective anticoagulant effect and reduced risk of bleeding. Dalteparin is given by injection under the skin, and is used for the treatment of blood clots in conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and unstable angina. Dalteparin is also used to prevent clots forming in blood during kidney dialysis.

What is it used for?

Angina not well controlled by medical treatment

Blood clot lodged in a vein of the leg

Prevention of blood clots during haemodialysis

Warning!

This medicine should not be injected into the muscle (intra-muscular injection)

Low molecular weight heparins have different characteristics, hence they are not interchangeable

Use with caution in

Current anticoagulation treatment

Diabetes

Diabetes affecting the eyes

High levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia)

Increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis)

Individuals suffering from a disorder of the retina resulting in loss of vision due to high blood pressure (hypertensive retinopathy)

People undergoing haemodialysis

Recent surgery, bleeding or major injury

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Severe kidney failure

Severe liver failure

Spinal or epidural anaesthesia

Stroke associated with internal bleeding of the brain

Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Not to be used in

Bleeding in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage)

Children

Individuals who have had recent eye or ear surgery

Inflammation of the heart valves and sac surrounding the heart (endocarditis)

Inherited tendency to bleed (haemorrhagic diathesis)

Injuries to or surgery on the central nervous system

Peptic ulcers

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Reduced platelet count in the blood (thrombocytopenia) as a result of heparin treatment

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.

There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Allergy to active ingredients (hypersensitivity)

Hair loss (alopecia)

Bleeding (haemorrhage)

High blood potassium level (hyperkalaemia)

Death of the skin cells (skin necrosis)

Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) with long term use

An extreme allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Itching (pruritis)

Redness around injection site

Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)

Disturbances of liver function

Presence of blood clots in the spinal cord (intra-spinal haematoma)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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