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What is the most important information I should know about lepirudin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lepirudin, or to a similar medication called bivalirudin (Angiomax).

Before using lepirudin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney or liver disease, heart disease or infection, high blood pressure, stomach ulcer, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia, a history of stroke or recent biopsy, or any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or medical trauma.

Tell your doctor if you are using or receiving blood thinners or any other 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 make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.

What is lepirudin?

Lepirudin keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.

Lepirudin is used to treat or prevent blood clots.

Lepirudin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking lepirudin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lepirudin, or to a similar medication called bivalirudin (Angiomax).

Before using lepirudin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• liver disease;

• heart disease or infection;

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);

• any major bleeding from a surgery, injury, or other 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 special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell 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 baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take lepirudin?

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 must be given slowly through an IV infusion. This medication is usually given continuously for 2 to 10 days, or longer if needed.

To be sure this medication 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 make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since lepirudin is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting as needed, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a lepirudin overdose may include severe bleeding.