Fragmin Safety Brochure.ai - Women's Health Matters

Is this medication safe during
pregnancy & breastfeeding
Notes:
Dalteparin does not appear to cross the
placenta during pregnancy and its use is
considered safe. It is not felt to pose any risk
to a nursing infant because it is unlikely to
cross into breast milk in significant amounts,
and it would be inactivated in the gastrointestinal
tract of the infant even if it did. The
multi-dose vial contains benzyl alcohol, but
the amounts and extent of exposure is felt to
be negligible and of little clinical significance.
Speak to your physician if you have any
concerns.
FRAGMIN®
(dalteparin sodium)
How do you store this medication
Store the dalteparin pre-filled syringes and
multi-dose vial at room temperature
(between 15 and 30ºC). Keep out of the reach
of children.
Prepared by: The PharmaCentre
Women’s College Hospital
Form No. F-2107 (12-2007)

What is this medication used for
Dalteparin (brand name Fragmin®) is used to treat or
prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary
emboli (PE). DVT is a condition where blood clots
form in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT’s can
cause pain and swelling, and may lead to complications
such as a PE whereby the clot can travel to the
lungs and block the blood vessels needed to absorb
oxygen from the air. Dalteparin acts to disrupt the
body’s blood clotting mechanism.
Who is at risk of having a DVT
DVT’s may be more common in
(but are not limited to):
o Pregnant Women
o Cancer Patients
o Surgery or Trauma Patients
o Those with a Family History or Genetic
Predisposition
How do I take this medication
Dalteparin is given as an injection underneath the
surface of the skin (subcutaneous injection). If you
are administering the medication yourself, make
sure you are clear about how to measure the exact
dose as well as the proper technique for preparing
and injecting subcutaneous injections and proper
disposal. Always follow your doctor’s dosage
directions.
o Work in a clean area and assemble all supplies,
including medication, syringes/needles,
alcohol swabs, and a hard container for
disposal (eg. empty peanut butter jar, laundry
bottle)
o Wash hands well.
o Select the site for injection, rotating the sites to
avoid skin irritations. Suitable injection sites
include the sides of the abdomen and the
thighs. Pregnant women should avoid the
abdomen area and inject into the thighs. Avoid
bruised, scarred, reddened or hard areas.
o Measure the dose if necessary:
• If you are using the multidose vial (3.8mL size), the
contents must be used within 2 weeks after the initial
puncture. Mark the date on the vial to help you remember.
o Snap off the plastic cap.
o Swab the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab,
allowing it to dry.
o Pull back the plunger to the required dose.
o Insert needle into the vial and inject air by pushing
down on plunger. Invert
the vial and withdraw the same volume of dalteparin
into the syringe.
o If bubbles are present in the syringe, hold the syringe
with the needle facing up and tap the syringe until
bubbles rise to the top. Push the air out of the
syringe using the plunger.
o Ensure that the volume of drug remaining equals the
required dose.
• If you are using the pre-filled syringes, it may only
be used for a single dose. You do not need to
measure the dose with pre-filled syringes as the
dose is in a ready to administer form.
o Remove cap from the needle just prior to
administering the dose.
o Do not remove any small air bubbles in the
pre-filled syringe.
o Gently pinch up a one inch fold of skin
between the thumb and forefinger of the
hand that will not be giving the injection.
o Insert the needle into the fold of skin at a 90
degree angle (45 degree angle if you are thin)
as far as it will go.
o Press down on the plunger and inject the
medication (do not move needle).
o After injection, withdraw the needle at the
same angle that it was inserted.
o Place a clean alcohol swab over the injection
site and apply pressure for 5-10 seconds. Do
not rub the site.
o Discard the needle in the hard container and
store out of reach of children.
o If you forget to take a dose and are close to
your next scheduled dose, skip
the missed dose and inject the next dose at the
regularly scheduled time. Do not take a double
dose.
What side effects should I expect
Dalteparin is usually well tolerated when used as directed and causes very few side effects.
SIDE EFFECTS PREVENTION WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
MORE COMMON:
Dark purple bruises, swelling, or pain at
injection site
LESS COMMON:
Blood in the stool (black, tar-like) or vomit
(coffee grounds).
Prolonged bleeding from cuts, bleeding
from gums while brushing teeth, or coughing
up blood.
Bleeding from nose, mouth, vagina (not
menstruation), anus, or in urine.
RARE:
Skin rash, possibly with pin point red spots.
Itching, hives, swelling of face, mouth or
throat
Trouble breathing, tightness in chest
Do not move needle once inserted.
Be sure to use a different injection site
each time.
Apply pressure after injecting.
Use a soft toothbrush.
Brush teeth carefully.
Inform your dentist before having
any dental work done.
Shave carefully.
Tell your doctor of any other medications
you are currently on (both prescription
and over the counter).
Inform your doctor of any history of
bleeding, or if you have any blood, kidney
or liver problems.
Tell your doctor about any known
allergies you may have.
Ask your nurse to help
you with your injection
technique.
Call your doctor
IMMEDIATELY
Call your doctor and
seek medical attention
IMMEDIATELY