Desirudin, Injection dez-ih-ROO-din

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: thrombin inhibitor; anticoagulant (medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming)

Generic and brand names: desirudin, injection; Iprivask

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat or prevent deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) and blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolisms) when you have hip replacement surgery. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

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

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain)
• bleeding problems
• bacterial endocarditis (heart infection)
• eye injury or eye problems due to diabetes
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver problems
• ulcers

Also tell your provider if you have recently had surgery, an organ biopsy, or a stroke.

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 without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider. They are given for several days or until you are able to get up and walk around. The shots may be given in the abdomen or thigh.

What should I watch out for?

Bleeding is the most common side effect. You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests. Your healthcare provider will watch for side effects and be able to treat emergencies if they happen.

Use a soft brush to brush your teeth. Be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or when using sharp objects.

To avoid bruising, do not rub the skin where the shot is given.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make you feel faint or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert.

Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding.

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 are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness or pain in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bruising or bleeding; dark urine or stools; bloody urine; increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding; painful urination; discolored fingers or toes; mouth sores; swelling, numbness, or tingling in fingers, legs, or toes, or any unexplained swelling; sore throat; fever; yellowish eyes or skin; severe headache, dizziness, or weakness; diarrhea; rash; itching; stomach pain; severe joint or muscle pain; shortness of breath; back pain; loss of bladder or bowel control.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness.

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 and other salicylates
• deferasirox (Exjade)
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as abciximab (ReoPro), anagrelide (Agrylin), cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox), enoxaparin (Lovenox), fondaparinux (Arixtra), heparin, prasugrel (Effient), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), ticagrelor (Brilinta), and warfarin (Coumadin),
• medicines to dissolve blood clots such as alteplase (Activase), reteplase (Retavase), and tenecteplase (TNKase)
• medicines to treat cancer such as dasatinib (Sprycel), ibritumomab (Zevalin), and tositumomab (Bexxar)
• natural remedies such as alfalfa, agrimony, anise, arnica, bilberry, black cohosh, bladderwrack, cat’s claw, dong quai, evening primrose oil, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, grape seed, green tea, horse chestnut, licorice, nettle, passion flower, pau d'arco, red clover, St. John's wort, sweet clover, 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.