Desirudin

Generic name: Desirudin
Brand names: Iprivask
Dosage form: subcutaneous powder for injection (15 mg)
Drug class: Thrombin inhibitors

Usage of Desirudin

Desirudin is an anticoagulant (thrombin inhibitor) that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.

Desirudin is used to prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery. Desirudin is for use after hip replacement surgery.

Desirudin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Desirudin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot: back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Desirudin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding);

pain, swelling, or drainage from a wound or where a needle was injected in your skin;

bleeding from wounds or needle injections, any bleeding that will not stop;

headache, dizziness, weakness, feeling like you might pass out;

urine that looks red, pink, or brown; or

bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Serious side effects may be more likely in adults who are 75 years or older.

Common side effects of desirudin may include:

nausea;

vomiting; or

fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Desirudin

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to desirudin, Bivalirudin, or lepirudin, or if you have:

active or uncontrolled bleeding; or

an irreversible blood clotting disorder.

Desirudin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause long-term or permanent paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:

you have a spinal cord injury;

you have a spinal catheter in place;

you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps;

you are taking an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)--ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or

you are using a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin) or other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease; or

cirrhosis or other liver disease.

Desirudin may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have had:

a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;

a hemorrhagic stroke;

uncontrolled high blood pressure;

bleeding inside your head;

eye problems caused by diabetes;

bleeding in your lungs, stomach, or intestines within the past 3 months;

recent surgery, an organ transplant, or biopsy of an organ; or

if you take steroid medicine (prednisone, Dexamethasone, and others), or a salicylate (aspirin, choline salicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate, salsalate, and others).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using desirudin.

Relate drugs

How to use Desirudin

Usual Adult Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis -- Prophylaxis:

Initial dose: 15 mg suBCutaneously 5 to 15 minutes prior to surgery (but after induction of regional block anesthesia, if used)Maintenance dose: 15 mg subcutaneously every 12 hoursDuration of therapy: Up to 12 days (9 to 12 days on average) has been well tolerated in controlled clinical trials.Comments: All patients should be evaluated for bleeding disorder risk before prophylactic administration of this drug.Use: Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing elective hip replacement surgery.

Warnings

You should not use desirudin if you have active or uncontrolled bleeding, or an irreversible blood clotting disorder.

Desirudin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you are also using other drugs that can affect blood clotting, including blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, and others). This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.

Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

What other drugs will affect Desirudin

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

abciximab, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, eptifibatide, ticlopidine, tirofiban;

alteplase, reteplase, tenecteplase, urokinase;

argatroban, bivalirudin, dabigatran, fondaparinux, lepirudin, rivaroxaban; or

dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin, tinzaparin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect desirudin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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