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® is lower molecular weight than heparin, it has fewer side effects.
Fields of application
Fragmin® is used for the following diseases:
- For prophylaxis of blood clots after surgery, in patients whose mobility is limited by an acute disease
- On long-haul flights with increased risk of thrombosis
- For the therapy of deep-lying clots in the venous system
- For the treatment of circulatory disorders of the heart muscle
Contraindications
as with other anticoagulants, there are situations where Fragmin® 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 tuberculosis, known blood clotting disorders, which can occur in the absence of clotting factors, severe kidney or liver disease
- Disproportionately heavy menstrual bleeding
- Uncontrolled severe hypertension, known aneurysms
- Alcoholism
- Kidneys or ureteral stones
Cautious use
Fragmin® should only be used with great care and under medical supervision: Pregnancy and lactation: Please tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Since there are no studies on Fragmin® in pregnancy, only experience reports can be used. These reports do not show an increased probability of malformation.
Animal studies also showed no foetus-damaging properties of Fragmin®. If you are taking an anticoagulant, epidural anesthesia (also called cross-stitch, anesthesia in the spinal cord) must not be used during delivery. Fragmin® can pass into breast milk in small quantities and thus have an anticoagulant effect on the baby’s blood.
However, this is very unlikely. Whether the therapy is continued is decided jointly by the doctor and mother.
- Simultaneous therapy with other oral anticoagulants and/or acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
- In case of suspected tumor with increased bleeding risk, existing stomach/ duodenal ulcer
- Retinal disease due to poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure
- If during treatment with Fragmin® a sharp drop in platelet levels is observed. The risk-benefit ratio must be weighed and the use of Fragmin® must be discontinued if necessary.
- At first signs of side effects you should contact your treating physician immediately.
