(LEP i roo din) Brand: Refludan
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to lepirudin, or to a similar medicine called bivalirudin (Angiomax).
• Till using lepirudin, speak your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney or liver malady, heart malady or infection, tall blood pressure, stomach ulcer, a bleeding or blood clotting mess such as hemophilia, a history of stroke or last biopsy, or any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or medical trauma.
• Speak your doctor if you are using or receiving blood thinners or any another medications used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).
• Because lepirudin keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it can also create it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or search abnormal medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
• Lepirudin keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with determined heart or blood vessel conditions.
• Lepirudin is used to treat or prevent blood clots.
• Lepirudin may also be used for purposes another than those listed in this medicine guide.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to lepirudin, or to a similar medicine called bivalirudin (Angiomax).
• Till using lepirudin, speak your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
· kidney malady (or if you are on dialysis);
· liver disease;
· heart malady or infection;
· untreated or uncontrolled tall blood pressure;
· a bleeding or blood clotting mess (such as hemophilia);
· any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or another medical trauma;
· a stomach ulcer or bleeding, intestinal bleeding;
· a history of stroke; or
· if you have recently had any type of biopsy.
• If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use lepirudin, or you may need dosage adjustments or particular trials during treatment.
• FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine is not expected to be deleterious to an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with lepirudin and aspirin.
• It is not known whether lepirudin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
• Lepirudin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will most likely receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
• Lepirudin should be given slowly through an IV infusion. This medicine is generally given continuously for 2 to 10 days, or longer if needed.
• To be certain this medicine is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis while you are receiving lepirudin.
• Because lepirudin keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots, it can also create it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or search abnormal medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
• Since lepirudin is generally given in a hospital or clinic setting as needed, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.
• Search abnormal medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medicine.
• Symptoms of a lepirudin overdose may include severe bleeding.
• Lepirudin lowers blood cells that help your blood clot. This can create it easier for you to bruise or bleed from an injury or minor cut. Avoid activities that magnify your risk of a bruising or bleeding injury. Use extra caution to avoid cuts when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lepirudin. Alcohol may magnify your risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
· sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
· sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
· pain or swelling in one or both legs;
· any bleeding that will not stop;
· black, bloody, or tarry stools;
· coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
· heighten blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
· decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed or fainting); or
· urinating smaller than normal or not at all.
• Smaller serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
· pain in your back or pelvis;
· nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset;
· feeling restless or nervous;
· headache;
· fever;
· sleep problems (insomnia); or
· pain, bleeding, or irritation where the injection was given.
• Side effects another than those listed here may also occur. Conversation to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Till receiving lepirudin, speak your doctor if you are using or receiving any of the next drugs:
· a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin (Innohep); or
· any another medications used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or urokinase (Abbokinase).
• If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use lepirudin, or you may need dosage adjustments or particular trials during treatment.
• There may be another drugs not listed that can affect lepirudin. Speak your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start using a new medicine without telling your doctor.
• Your pharmacist has information about lepirudin written for health professionals that you may read.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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