Bemiparin
About
Bemiparin belongs to a class of drugs called anticoagulants (blood thinners). Bemiparin is used to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in leg veins), pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs), and dangerous blood clots which can occur while undergoing orthopaedic surgery (hip, knee or other bone surgery). Additionally, it is used to prevent blood clots from forming in the tubing of the dialysis machine. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful to stop bleeding, they may be harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit required blood flow to organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs.
Bemiparin contains Bemiparin, which helps to prevent blood clotting in the blood vessels.
A healthcare professional will usually administer Bemiparin. Some people may experience pain and itching at the injection site, bruising, blotchy skin (discoloured patches of skin), unusual or unexpected bleeding (blood in urine or stools) and a slight temporary increase in certain enzymes (transaminases). Most of these side effects of Bemiparin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Bemiparin or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin. If you are going to have a lumbar puncture (a puncture in the lower part of the spine for laboratory tests) or are about to undergo any surgery, make sure your doctor knows you are being treated with Bemiparin.
Uses of Bemiparin
Medicinal Benefits
Bemiparin contains Bemiparin, an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent and treat dangerous blood clots in leg veins and lungs, which can occur while undergoing orthopaedic surgery (hip, knee or other bone surgery). Additionally, it is used to prevent blood clots during haemodialysis.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Bemiparin
- Pain and itching at the injection site
- Bruising
- Blotchy skin (discoloured patches of skin)
- Unusual or unexpected bleeding (blood in urine or stools)
- Slight temporary increase in certain enzymes (transaminases)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Bemiparin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin. If you are going to have a lumbar puncture (a puncture in the lower part of the spine for laboratory tests), or are about to undergo any surgery, make sure your doctor knows you are being treated with Bemiparin. If you have had, have or are going to have injuries to, or operations on, your spine, brain, eyes and/or ears within the last 2 months, avoid receiving Bemiparin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Bemiparin may interact with blood thinners (warfarin, acenocoumarol, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, aspirin), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), steroids (prednisolone), medicines to increase blood volume (dextran), drug used to treat heart problems (glyceryl nitrate), medicines which can increase potassium levels in the blood, such as some diuretics (water pills) and anti-hypertensives (used to reduce blood pressure).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid herbs and supplements with anticoagulant/antiplatelet activity (blood thinning effect). Examples include ginger, garlic, bilberry, piracetam, danshen, and ginkgo biloba.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcer, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), kidney or bladder stones, diabetes, eye problems due to problems in your blood vessels, high potassium levels in the blood or any condition which may cause you to bleed more easily, inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of alcohol with Bemiparin is unknown. Therefore, if you have any concerns regarding this, please discuss with your doctor.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIf you are a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin.
Driving
safe if prescribedBemiparin usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionIf you have liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Bemiparin. Your doctor may adjust the dose as required based on your condition.
Children
unsafeBemiparin is not recommended for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do not make any changes in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
- Avoid herbs and supplements such as ginger, garlic, bilberry, piracetam, danshen, and ginkgo biloba, possessing a blood-thinning effect.
- Do regular exercise as it helps to dissolve blood clots, especially in obese people.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may monitor potassium levels in the blood, especially if you suffer from diabetes, kidney disease or if you are taking medicines to prevent the loss of potassium.
- Some patients may require blood tests to check the level of blood clotting cells in their blood. Your doctor will decide whether this is necessary and when (e.g. before treatment, on the first day of treatment, then every 3-4 days and at the end of treatment with Bemiparin).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood clots: A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful for stopping bleeding, they may be harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels, inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs, and result in serious conditions. The common risk factors for blood clots are obesity, smoking, cancer, family history of blood clots, age over 65 years, certain birth control pills, or pregnancy. If you experience chest pressure, sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, speaking, or seeing, please consult a doctor immediately, as these might be symptoms of blood clots. Quick medication is advised to reduce the risk of serious conditions due to blood clots.
FAQs
Bemiparin contains Bemiparin, a blood thinner that helps to prevent blood from clotting in the blood vessels.
You are not recommended to take ibuprofen with Bemiparin as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk or severity of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood). However, please consult a doctor before taking other medicines with Bemiparin.
You are advised to inform your doctor that you are being treated with Bemiparin before undergoing any surgery, as you must not have epidural or spinal anaesthesia (an anaesthetic injected into your spine) while being treated with Bemiparin.
