Antithrombin (Recombinant), Injection an-tee-THROM-bin

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antithrombin (medicine to prevent blood clots forming)

Generic and brand names: antithrombin (recombinant), injection; ATryn

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine prevents blood clots forming for people with hereditary antithrombin deficiency. The medicine is given by IV to prevent blood clots during surgery or childbirth.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine, or to goats or goat milk

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip) by a healthcare provider. You will be carefully monitored while receiving this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

There is a risk of bleeding and serious allergic reaction while receiving this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, or have any symptoms of allergic reaction.

Use a soft brush to brush your teeth. Be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or when using sharp objects. Avoid sports and activities that may cause injuries. If you fall or are injured, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (contact your healthcare provider right away): Heavy bleeding or severe pain at the IV site, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, black tarry stool, blood in urine, unusual bleeding or bruising, chest pain, severe stomach pain, severe nausea or vomiting, severe dizziness, fainting, slow heartbeat, severe headache, vision changes, fever, trouble urinating.

Other: Back pain; headache; nausea; lightheadedness; flushing; stomach upset; muscle aches; injection site itching, pain, or redness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• aspirin or other salicylates
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), dipyridamole/aspirin (Aggrenox), enoxaparin (Lovenox), fondaparinux (Arixtra), heparin, lepirudin (Refludan), prasugrel (Effient), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• medicines to dissolve blood clots such as alteplase (Activase), reteplase (Retavase), and tenecteplase (TNKase)
• natural remedies such as alfalfa, anise, bilberry, cat’s claw, evening primrose, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, horse chestnut, red clover, SAMe, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.