Dalteparin

Dalteparin is a prescription medication used to prevent blood clots. It is also used to prevent further blood clots in cancer patients who have had a blood clot.

Dalteparin belongs to a group of drugs called low molecular weight heparins or "blood thinners". These work by blocking enzymes involved in making blood clots. 

This medication comes in an injectable form to be given under the skin (subcutaneously).

Common side effects of dalteparin include bleeding and upset stomach.

Dalteparin is a prescription medication used:

• in the hospital along with aspirin to prevent complications of chest pain (angina) and heart attacks
• to prevent blood clots in hospital patients who are on bed rest
• to prevent blood clots in patients who are about to have hip replacement surgery or abdominal surgery
• to prevent recurrence of blood clots in patients with cancer

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If you have epidural or spinal anesthesia or a spinal puncture while taking a 'blood thinner' such as dalteparin, you are at risk for internal bleeding that could cause you to become paralyzed.

Tell your doctor if you are taking abciximab (ReoPro); anagrelide (Agrylin); other anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); cilostazol (Pletal); clopidogrel (Plavix); dipyridamole (Persantine); eptifibatide (Integrilin); sulfinpyrazone (Anturane); ticlopidine (Ticlid); and tirofiban (Aggrastat) .

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: numbness, tingling, leg weakness or paralysis, and loss of control over your bladder or bowels. Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking dalteparin.

Serious side effects have been reported with dalteparin. See the "Dalteparin Precautions" section.

Common side effects of dalteparin include the following:

• bleeding
• upset stomach
• pain or irritation at the injection site

This is not a complete list of dalteparin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.