How does it work?

Reviparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). It is composed of fragments of naturally-occurring heparin which has been extracted from the intestinal wall of pigs. Heparin and reviparin work by interfering with the body's natural blood clotting mechanism. This mechanism involves a series of complex pathways. Heparin and reviparin inactivate a compound in this pathway called thrombin, which plays an important role in blood clot formation. Therefore, heparin and reviparin prevent the formation of blood clots in the body. Reviparin has many advantages over normal heparin. These include a more effective anti-clotting action and reduced risk of bleeding. Reviparin is given by injection under the skin. It is used for the prevention of blood clots in individuals undergoing surgery.

What is it used for?

Prevention of blood clot formation in the veins during and after surgery

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

You should have regular blood tests to monitor the amount of potassium in your blood while you are taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Diabetes mellitus

High levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia)

Increased acid levels in the blood (metabolic acidosis)

Not to be used in

A weakening in the wall of an artery that causes it to bulge outwards (aneurysm)

Abdominal pain and bleeding during preganancy

Active peptic ulcer

Alcoholism

Allergy to heparin or reviparin, including allergic thrombocytopaenia

Bleeding disorders

Bleeding into part of the eye (vitreous body haemorrhage).

Diseases affecting the back of the eye (retinopathies).

High blood pressure

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

Inherited tendency to bleed (haemorrhagic diathesis)

Insertion of a needle low down in the spine to draw out some of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord (lumbar puncture).

Kidney stones

Reduced platelet count in the blood

Severe disease affecting the pancreas

Severe kidney disease

Severe liver disease

Spinal or epidural anaesthesia

Stroke associated with internal bleeding of the brain

Surgery involving the brain (central nervous system).

Suspected malignant disease with a high risk of bleeding.

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.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

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.

Alteration in results of liver function tests

High blood potassium level (hyperkalaemia)

Increased tendency to bleed

Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) with long term use

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

Decreased production of aldosterone, a steroid hormone which regulates salt and water balance (hypoaldosteronism)

Bleeding at injection site

Local pain and swelling at the site of injection

Hypersensitivity reactions such as narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm), swelling of the lips, throat and tongue (angioedema) or severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis)

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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