Fragmin
Fragmin (dalteparin) is an injectable medication used to treat and prevent blood clots. It needs to be injected every day and comes in prefilled syringes for convenient home injections.
What is Fragmin (dalteparin)?
What is Fragmin (dalteparin) used for?
- Blood clot prevention after abdominal surgery, after hip or knee replacement surgery, or when you are very sick and bedridden
- Prevention of complications in people with unstable angina or NSTEMI (a type of heart attack)
- Extended treatment of symptomatic blood clots to prevent future blood clots in people with cancer
- Treatment of symptomatic blood cots in children age 1 month or older
How Fragmin (dalteparin) works
Fragmin (dalteparin) is an anticoagulant, which are often called blood thinners. As a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), it prevents blood clots by blocking the activity of certain blood-clotting proteins.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Fragmin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Anticoagulant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Fragmin (dalteparin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Any bleeding (14%)
- Major bleeding (6%)
Fragmin (dalteparin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious bleeding (hematoma) around the spinal cord after an epidural or spinal tap, which can cause paralysis (can't move or feel anything)
- Low platelets
The following Fragmin (dalteparin) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Bleeding of the gums
coughing up blood
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dizziness
headache
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
severe stomach pain
unexplained pain, swelling, or discomfort, especially in the chest, abdomen or stomach, joints, or muscles
unusual bleeding or bruising
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weakness
Rare
Back pain
bleeding from mucous membranes
bluish or black discoloration, flushing, or redness of the skin
burning, pricking, tickling, or tingling sensation
feeling faint
leg weakness
numbness
problems with bowel or bladder function
skin rash (which may consist of pinpoint, purple-red spots), hives, or itching
sloughing of the skin at the injection site
swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips
tightness in the chest
Incidence not known
Blue-green to black skin discoloration
decrease in height
pain in the ribs, arms, or legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Hair loss or thinning of hair
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Fragmin (dalteparin)
Pros
- Approved for extended (6 month) treatment of blood clots in people with cancer
- Can be used in children age 1 month or older
- Doesn’t usually need to be monitored with blood tests
- In cases of overdose or dangerous bleeding, there is an antidote called protamine that can reverse the effects of Fragmin (dalteparin).
- Doesn't interact with food like warfarin (Coumadin) does
Cons
- It's a low-molecular weight heparin, which means you can’t use it if you’ve had heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
- Brand name only, and can be more expensive than similar medications like enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- Not a first-choice medication for people with kidney problems
- Can interact with NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), and raise bleeding risk
- Some people will need to inject the medication multiple times a day
Pharmacist tips for Fragmin (dalteparin)
- Talk to your provider or pharmacist to make sure you understand how to inject this medication the correct way before you start it at home. It's important that you get the right amount of medication.
- People with latex allergies should avoid touching the prefilled Fragmin (dalteparin) syringe. The needle shield may contain rubber latex.
- Check the solution in the syringe to make sure it hasn't changed colors and doesn't have particles in it. For the fixed-dose syringe, air bubbles are okay, don't push them out before using the syringe or you might lose some medication.
- Store the syringes at room temperature. If you're using the vial, you can store it at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- The medication must be injected into your fatty tissue and not your muscle. You can inject it into your lower abdomen around your belly button, the upper outter side of your thigh, or certain parts of your butt. Rotate your injeciton site every day to avoid unwanted side effects.
- Make sure all your providers know you are taking Fragmin (dalteparin), especially surgeons and dentists. Fragmin (dalteparin) can make you bleed more, so they might tell you to stop taking the medication for a short period of time if you are having a procedure done.
- Let your provider know right away if you see any blood in your stool or urine, cough up or vomit blood, or have any bleeding that doesn’t stop.
Risks and warnings for Fragmin (dalteparin)
Fragmin (dalteparin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Bleeding around the spinal cord
- Risk factors: Spinal puncture (spinal tap) | Getting anesthesia near the spine (epidural anesthesia) | History of spinal surgery | Also using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other blood thinners
If you're taking Fragmin (dalteparin) and are getting either a spinal tap or an epidural, you're at a greater risk of bleeding around your spinal cord, which can make you paralyzed. Your provider will tell you how to stop taking Fragmin (dalteparin) safely before you go through a back surgery or procedure. Call your provider right away if you notice pain, tingling, a burning sensation, numbness, weakness, or are unable to urinate.
Low platelet counts and clotting problems
- Risk factors: History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Fragmin (dalteparin) can cause your platelet counts to go down, and in rare cases, can cause a life-threatening condition called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT happens when the immune system creates antibodies that affect the function of platelets, causing blood clots to form in various parts of the body. If your platelets become very low, it's likely that Fragmin (dalteparin) will be stopped and your providers will consider a different blood thinner for you if needed.
Fragmin (dalteparin) dosage
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 syringes of 18000iu/0.72ml | 1 carton | $5,617.36 | $5,617.36 |
| 10 syringes of 10000iu/ml | 1 carton | $3,131.72 | $3,131.72 |
| 10 syringes of 7500iu/0.3ml | 1 carton | $2,355.25 | $2,355.25 |
| 10 syringes of 15000iu/0.6ml | 3 cartons | $14,006.17 | $4,668.72 |
| 10 syringes of 5000iu/0.2ml | 3 cartons | $4,685.15 | $1,561.72 |
| 10 syringes of 12500iu/0.5ml | 3 cartons | $11,676.69 | $3,892.23 |
| 10 syringes of 2500iu/0.2ml | 1 carton | $982.32 | $982.32 |
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10000iu/ml | 5 syringes | $1,578.25 | $315.65 |
| 12500iu/0.5ml | 5 syringes | $1,966.77 | $393.35 |
| 15000iu/0.6ml | 5 syringes | $2,355.03 | $471.01 |
| 18000iu/0.72ml | 5 syringes | $2,821.08 | $564.22 |
| 2500iu/0.2ml | 5 syringes | $499.48 | $99.90 |
| 5000iu/0.2ml | 5 syringes | $801.50 | $160.30 |
| 7500iu/0.3ml | 60 syringes | $14,007.49 | $233.46 |
Interactions between Fragmin (dalteparin) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Defibrotide
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abciximab
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acenocoumarol
- Alipogene Tiparvovec
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Anistreplase
- Antithrombin, Recombinant
- Apixaban
- Argatroban
- Bemiparin
- Betrixaban
- Bivalirudin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Caplacizumab-yhdp
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Citalopram
- Clonixin
- Clopidogrel
- Collagenase, Clostridium histolyticum
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Danaparoid
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyridamole
- Dipyrone
- Drotrecogin Alfa
- Droxicam
- Edoxaban
- Enoxaparin
- Eptifibatide
- Escitalopram
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Fluoxetine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Heparin
- Ibrutinib
- Ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen Lysine
- Iloprost
- Indomethacin
- Inotersen
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lepirudin
- Levomilnacipran
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Nadroparin
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Nintedanib
- Omadacycline
- Orlistat
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Paroxetine
- Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piracetam
- Piroxicam
- Prasugrel
- Proglumetacin
- Propionic Acid
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Reteplase, Recombinant
- Rivaroxaban
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sarecycline
- Sertraline
- Sodium Salicylate
- Streptokinase
- Sulfinpyrazone
- Sulindac
- Tenecteplase
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Ticlopidine
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Trazodone
- Treprostinil
- Urokinase
- Valdecoxib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilazodone
- Vorapaxar
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin