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Drug Details

ALPHAPARIN

• Drug Class Description
  Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs, anticoagulants).
• Generic Name
  Certoparin
• Presentation
  Injection, certoparin 3000 i.u. anti-Factor Xa activity.
• Description
  Solution in pre-filled syringes.
• Indications
  Prophylaxis of peri- and post- operative venous thromboembolism.
• Adult Dosage
  3000 i.u. daily by subcutaneous injection into the peritoneal fold 1 - 2 hours prior to surgery. Repeat once daily for 7 to 10 days or until mobile.
• Child Dosage
  Not recommended.
• Contra Indications
  

  Major bleeding disorders, bleeding ulcers of the stomach or intestine, severe hypertension (>200/120mmHg), hypersensitivity to heparin, subacute bacterial endocarditis, severe renal and/or hepatic dysfunction.

• Special Precautions
  

  Must not be administered intramuscularly. Monitor platelet counts. May cause hyperkalaemia, particularly in diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, mellitus, chronic renal failure, pre-existing metabolic acidosis, patients with raised plasma potassium or taking potassium- sparing drugs; measure plasma potassium before starting therapy, and monitor regularly thereafter, especially if treatment prolonged beyond 7 days. Spinal or epidural anaesthesia - risk of spinal haematomas and paralysis; observe patients carefully. Pregnancy and lactation.

• Interactions
  

  NSAIDs, oral anticoagulants, dipyridamole, dextrans, etacrynic acid (ethacrynic acid), cytostatic agents, antihistamines, digitalis, tetracyclines, ascorbic acid.

• Adverse Drug Reactions
  

  Minor bleeding at injection site, thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity reactions, raised liver enzymes, osteoporosis. Rarely, clinically significant hyperkalaemia. Very rarely, spinal haematomas in patients undergoing spinal or epidural anaesthesia.