What is this medicine?
LEPIRUDIN is an anticoagulant. It is used in a hospital setting to help prevent blood clots.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- back or stomach pain
- black, tarry stools
- blood in urine
- breathing problems
- coughing up blood
- feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
- heavy menstrual bleeding
- nosebleeds
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- irritation at site where injected
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
- medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin or heparin
- mifepristone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- abciximab
- cilostazol
- clopidogrel
- dipyridamole
- eptifibatide
- lamifiban
- NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
- ticlopidine
- tirofiban
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to hirudins or any ingredient in the formulation.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Monitor your skin closely for easy bruising or red spots. Tell your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding.
Be careful to avoid injury while you are receiving this medicine. Take special care brushing or flossing your teeth. Report any injuries to your doctor or health care professional.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have received this medicine.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- bleeding disorders or hemophilia
- high blood pressure
- infection of the heart valves
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- lumbar puncture or spinal anesthesia
- recent surgery or trauma
- stomach or intestinal ulcers
- weak or unstable blood vessels
- an unusual or allergic reaction to lepirudin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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