Bemiparin sodium is a blood-thinning medicine that reduces the formation of harmful blood clots in your body.
This medicine is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg veins). It is also used to prevent the formation of blood clots if you are undergoing general surgery or surgery of the hip, knee, or bones.
This medicine may be used for other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Bemiparin sodium is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the abdomen or upper thigh area).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you in the hospital. You may need to continue to receive this medicine when you return home.
If you or your caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of Bemiparin sodium, you or your caregiver may do the administration.
Use Bemiparin sodium exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not inject more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1.5 inches away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button).
If you need help with understanding the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Throw away the used needle after each injection. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to dispose these used injections.
Inject the missed dose as soon as you remember and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you forgot to administer your dose.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Bemiparin sodium or similar medicines such as heparin, and substances that are derived from pigs.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- bleeding disorders or problems with blood clotting
- active bleeding or conditions at risk of bleeding excessively
- endocarditis (infection of the lining of the heart and heart valves)
- lesions that may increase the risk of internal bleeding e.g. active stomach ulcer, brain tumours
- recent injury to or surgery on the brain, spine, eyes, and ears within the last 2 months
- severe disease of the pancreas
- severe liver disease
as Bemiparin sodium may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- high blood pressure that is difficult to control
- history of stomach ulcer
- thrombocytopenia (lower than normal platelet counts in the blood)
- kidney or bladder stones
- diabetes
- eye disease due to problems in the blood vessels of your eyes
- mild to moderate liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not switch between different brands unless advised by your doctor.
If you are going to have a procedure where you must undergo spinal or epidural anaesthesia (medicine to block pain and sensation injected into the spine) and lumbar puncture (procedure performed in the lower spine for laboratory testing), inform your doctor that you are using this medicine.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using Bemiparin sodium.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- You may need to have regular blood tests to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have blood tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of brain, bowel, or bladder problems may also be needed.
Bemiparin sodium may cause any of the following side effects: pain, bruising, blotchy skin, or itching at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- dark painful skin reactions at the injection site
- back pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower limbs, bowel or bladder problems
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, eyes, tongue or throat
This medicine may cause the level of your platelets to drop.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- other blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. ibuprofen, mefenamic acid
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone, triamterene
- dextran (medicine to increase blood volume)
- glyceryl trinitrate (medicine for chest pain)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Bemiparin sodium.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Do not freeze this medicine otherwise, it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
If you notice that the injection has changed colour or has become cloudy, do not use it. Throw it away and use a new injection.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
