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In this Article

• What is tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• What are the possible side effects of tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• What is the most important information I should know about tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• How should I use tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Innohep)?
• What happens if I overdose (Innohep)?
• What should I avoid while using tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• What other drugs will affect tinzaparin (Innohep)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using tinzaparin (Innohep)?

You should not use this medication if you have low levels of blood platelets caused by using heparin, or if you are allergic to:

• tinzaparin;
• heparin;
• sulfites;
• benzyl alcohol; or
• pork products.

Tinzaparin may cause severe or life-threatening side effects if you use it while you have any active bleeding or hemorrhage, or if you have:

• a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;
• a history of hemorrhagic stroke;
• bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart's inner layer);
• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• stomach bleeding or ulcer;
• liver failure;
• amyloidosis (a build-up of certain proteins in tissues and organs of the body);
• if you have had recent surgery on your brain, spine, or eyes; or
• if you are 70 years or older and have not recently had your kidney function checked.

Tinzaparin may cause bleeding around the brain or spinal cord if it is given while you are using certain other drugs that can prevent blood from clotting.. Before you receive tinzaparin, tell your doctor if you have recently used any of the following drugs:

• abciximab (ReoPro);
• ardeparin (Normiflo);
• argatroban (Acova);
• bivalirudin (Angiomax);
• cilostazol (Pletal);
• clopidogrel (Plavix);
• dipyridamole (Persantine);
• enoxaparin (Lovenox);
• eptifibatide (Integrelin);
• fondaparinux (Arixtra);
• heparin;
• lepirudin (Refludan);
• ticlopidine (Ticlid);
• tirofiban (Aggrastat); or
• an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), ketorolac (Toradol), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), and others.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use tinzaparin. Before receiving tinzaparin, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• high blood pressure;
• a blood-clotting disorder such as hemophilia; or
• blood vessel damage in the eyes (retinopathy) caused by diabetes.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether tinzaparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use tinzaparin (Innohep)?

Tinzaparin must not be used as a substitute for heparin. These two drugs are manufactured differently and have different dosages.

Tinzaparin is given as an injection under the skin of your stomach. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

This medication is usually given every day until your bleeding condition improves. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not draw your tinzaparin dose into a syringe until you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Use a different place on your stomach each time you inject this medication. Do not inject tinzaparin into the same skin area two times in a row.

Do not inject tinzaparin into a muscle or a vein.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood and your stool (bowel movement) will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your nerve and muscle function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you undergo a spinal tap or any type of spinal anesthesia (such as an epidural), tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using tinzaparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time before having such procedures.

Store tinzaparin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.