Fragmin
dalteparin sodium
FDA Box Warning
Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in patients who are anticoagulated with low-molecular-weight heparins or heparinoids and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Risk increases with use of indwelling epidural catheters, concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, platelet inhibitors, or other anticoagulants), traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture, or history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery.
Monitor patient frequently for signs and symptoms of neurologic impairment. If these occur, provide urgent treatment.
Consider benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anti-coagulated or to be anticoagulated for thromboprophylaxis.
Action
Inhibits thrombus and clot formation by blocking factor Xa and thrombin
Availability
Solution for injection (prefilled syringes): 12,500 units/0.5 ml, 15,000 units/0.6 ml, 18,000 units/0.72 ml, 5,000 units/0.2 ml, 7,500 units/0.3 ml, 10,000 units/0.4 ml
Solution for injection (multidose vials): 95,000 units/3.8 ml, 95,000 units/9.5 ml
Solution for injection (single-dose graduated syringe): 10,000 units/1 ml
Indications and dosages
➣ Extended treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE), including proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) to reduce recurrence of VTE in patients with cancer
Adults: Recommended dosing: for first 30 days of treatment, give 200 international units/kg total body weight subcutaneously once daily. Give at dose of approximately 150 international units/kg subcutaneously once daily during months 2 through 6. Safety and efficacy beyond 6 months not established. Total daily dose shouldn't exceed 18,000 international units.
➣ To prevent DVT, which can lead to PE in patients undergoing hip and abdominal surgery who are at risk for thromboembolic complications
Adults: Abdominal surgery-2,500 international units subcutaneously 1 to 2 hours before surgery; then once daily for 5 to 10 days. For high-risk patients, 5,000 international units subcutaneously on evening before surgery; then once daily for 5 to 10 days. For cancer patients, 2,500 international units subcutaneously 1 to 2 hours before surgery; repeat dose 12 hours later, then give 5,000 international units subcutaneously every day for 5 to 10 days.
Hip replacement surgery-5,000 international units subcutaneously 10 to 14 hours before surgery; repeat dose 4 to 8 hours after surgery, then give 5,000 international units daily for 5 to 10 days. Or, 2,500 international units subcutaneously within 2 hours before surgery, followed by 2,500 international units subcutaneously 4 to 8 hours after surgery (allowing at least 6 hours between doses), followed by 5,000 international units subcutaneously daily for 5 to 10 days. Or, 2,500 international units subcutaneously 4 to 8 hours after surgery, followed by 5,000 international units subcutaneously daily for 5 to 10 days.
➣ Patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness
Adults: 5,000 international units subcutaneously daily for 12 to 14 days
➣ Extended treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer
Adults: For first 30 days of treatment, 200 international units/kg subcutaneously daily. Total daily dosage shouldn't exceed 18,000 international units. Give approximately 150 international units/kg subcutaneously daily during months 2 through 6. Total daily dosage shouldn't exceed 18,000 international units.
➣ To prevent ischemic complications in patients with unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction
Adults: 120 international units/kg (not to exceed 10,000 international units) subcutaneously q 12 hours (concurrently with aspirin P.O.) for 5 to 8 days
Dosage adjustment
• Renal insufficiency
• Thrombocytopenia
Off-label uses
• Systemic anticoagulation
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug, heparin, pork products, sulfites, or benzyl alcohol
• Active major bleeding
• Thrombocytopenia
• Patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction who are undergoing regional anesthesia; cancer patients with symptomatic VTE who are undergoing regional anesthesia
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• bacterial endocarditis, bleeding disorders, hemorrhagic stroke, severe uncontrolled hypertension, GI ulcer, severe renal or hepatic insufficiency, hypertensive or diabetic retinopathy
• history of thrombocytopenia from heparin use
• history of congenital or acquired bleeding disorder
• recent CNS or ophthalmologic surgery
• recent GI disease
• spinal or epidural anesthesia
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children (safety not established).
Administration
Know that dalteparin sodium is a high-alert drug.
Administer by subcutaneous route only. Don't give by I.M. or I.V. route.
• To minimize bruising at injection site, massage site with ice before giving injection.
• To give subcutaneous injection, have patient either sit up or lie down. Inject in U-shaped area around navel, upper outer side of thigh, or upper outer quadrangle of buttock. Rotate injection sites daily.
• Don't use interchangeably with heparin or other low-molecular-weight heparins.
Adverse reactions
Hematologic: anemia, ecchymosis, bleeding, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage
Skin: rash, urticaria
Other: pain, irritation, and hematoma at injection site; fever; edema
Interactions
Drug-drug. Antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, ticlopidine), thrombolytics, warfarin: increased risk of bleeding
Drug-diagnostic tests. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase: increased levels
Platelets: decreased count
Drug-herbs. Anise, arnica, chamomile, clove, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng: increased risk of bleeding
Patient monitoring
Monitor patient for increased risk of bleeding if he's receiving concomitant drugs that affect platelet function.
• Monitor CBC and platelet count.
• Monitor stools for occult blood.
Patient teaching
• Teach patient proper injection technique if self-administering at home.
• Tell patient that drug may cause him to bleed easily. To avoid injury, advise him to brush teeth with soft toothbrush, use electric razor, and avoid scissors and sharp knives.
Advise patient to immediately report bleeding, bruising, dizziness, light-headedness, itching, rash, fever, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, and herbs mentioned above.
dalteparin
(dal-te-pa-rin) dalteparin,Fragmin
(trade name)Classification
Therapeutic: anticoagulantsPharmacologic: antithrombotics
Indications
- unstable angina,
- non–Q-wave MI.
Action
Therapeutic effects
Pharmacokinetics
Time/action profile (antithrombotic effect)
ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
Subcut | rapid | 4 hr | up to 24 hr |
Contraindications/Precautions
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
Central nervous system
- dizziness
Gastrointestinal
- reversible ↑ in liver enzymes
Hematologic
- bleeding
- thrombocytopenia
Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction
Risk of bleeding ↑ by concurrent use of thrombolytics, anticoagulants, or agents that affect platelet function including NSAIDS, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, tirofiban, or eptifibatide.Route/Dosage
DVT Prophylaxis
Extended Treatment of Symptomatic VTE in Patients with Cancer
Angina/Non–Q-wave MI
Renal Impairment
Subcutaneous (Adults) Cancer patients receiving extended treatment of symptomatic VTE with CCr <30 mL/min—Monitor anti-Xa levels (target 0.5–1.5 IU/mL).Availability
Nursing implications
Nursing assessment
- Assess for signs of bleeding and hemorrhage (bleeding gums; nosebleed; unusual bruising; black, tarry stool; hematuria; fall in hematocrit or BP; guaiac-positive stools). Notify health care professional if these occur.
- Subcutaneous: Observe injection sites for hematoma, ecchymosis, or inflammation.
- Lab Test Considerations: Monitor CBC, platelet count, and stools for occult blood periodically during therapy. If thrombocytopenia occurs, monitor closely. If hematocrit ↓ unexpectedly, assess patient for potential bleeding sites.
- Special monitoring of clotting times (aPTT) is not necessary.
- May cause asymptomatic ↑ in transaminase levels (AST, ALT).
Potential Nursing Diagnoses
Ineffective tissue perfusion (Indications)Risk for injury (Side Effects)
Implementation
- First dose is administered 1–2 hr before surgery.
- Dalteparin cannot be used interchangeably (unit for unit) with unfractionated heparin or other low-molecular-weight heparins.
- Subcutaneous: Administer deep subcut while patient is sitting or lying down. Dalteparin may be injected into the abdominal wall inferior and lateral to the umbilicus, the upper outer side of the thigh, or the upper outer quadrant of the buttock. Rotate injection sites daily. Inject entire length of needle at a 45° or 90° angle while lifting and holding skin between thumb and forefinger.
- Do not administer IM.
- Syringe Incompatibility: Do not mix with other injections or infusions.
Patient/Family Teaching
- Advise patient to report any symptoms of unusual bleeding or bruising, dizziness, itching, rash, fever, swelling, or difficulty breathing to health care professional immediately.
- Instruct patient not to take aspirin or NSAIDs without consulting health care professional while on dalteparin therapy.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
- Prevention of ischemic complications (with aspirin) in patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave MI.
- Reduction of recurrence of VTE in patients with cancer.