Fragmin (Dalteparin Sodium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Fragmin Used For?
Fragmin contains dalteparin sodium, which belongs to a group of medicines called low molecular weight heparins. It’s derived from pig intestines and works to prevent and treat dangerous blood clots.
Primary Uses
Fragmin is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in deep veins, usually in legs or arms), blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) in certain cancer patients, and unstable heart disease caused by poor blood flow (like angina or heart attack). It’s also used to prevent blood clots before or after surgery and during kidney dialysis procedures.
How It Works
As a low molecular weight heparin, Fragmin helps prevent blood from clotting too easily, reducing the risk of dangerous clots forming in your blood vessels.
How to Take Fragmin
Fragmin is given by injection either under the skin or as a slow infusion into a vein. It should never be injected into a muscle. Your doctor will determine the exact dose, frequency, and duration based on your condition, age, weight, mobility level, kidney function, and other medications.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide your specific dose based on your medical condition. If you’re being treated for deep vein thrombosis, you may also start taking oral blood thinners like warfarin. For unstable heart disease, your doctor might prescribe aspirin alongside Fragmin. If you need to use Fragmin at home after leaving the hospital, you’ll be taught how to self-inject safely.
What If You Miss a Dose?
For twice daily injections: If less than 6 hours have passed since your missed dose, inject as soon as possible and continue your regular schedule. If more than 6 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled injection. For once daily injections: If less than 12 hours have passed, inject as soon as you can and continue normally. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled injection. Contact your doctor if you have concerns.
Important: Never inject Fragmin into a muscle. Do not expel the air bubble from the syringe before injection to ensure you get the full dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Pain, bruising, or lumps at injection site
- Hair loss
- Fever
- Itchy rash
- Fluid-filled blisters on skin
- Changes in skin color at injection site
- Receding gums, brittle nails, weaker grip, back pain (early osteoporosis signs)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing problems)
- Any unusual bleeding including nosebleeds, blood in urine or stool
- Easy bruising, red or purple spots on skin
- Severe back pain, weakness or numbness in limbs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- High blood potassium (muscle weakness, numbness, chest pain, irregular heartbeat)
- Severe headache with nausea, vomiting, confusion
- Sudden shortness of breath, fainting, chest pain
- Stomach, back, side, or groin pain with fast heart rate
Important Warnings
Fragmin has several important warnings and contraindications that you should discuss with your doctor before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Fragmin
Do not use Fragmin if you’re allergic to dalteparin sodium, heparin, similar medicines, or pork products. You should not receive Fragmin if you have major bleeding disorders, certain brain injuries including stroke, stomach or bowel problems like ulcers, bacterial heart infections, very high blood pressure, or following brain, spinal cord, eye, or ear surgery. You should not have sympathetic block procedures while on Fragmin, and regional anesthesia is not recommended with high-dose Fragmin.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have latex allergies, low platelet count, high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, heart valve problems, diabetes, eye disease, kidney or liver disease, cancer, recent surgeries, metabolic acidosis, high blood potassium, or if you’re receiving treatment for severe pain. Special caution is needed if you’re planning spinal or epidural anesthesia.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Fragmin is not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. It’s also not recommended during breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk. Discuss the risks with your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Elderly Patients: Fragmin should be used with caution in elderly patients, especially those 80 years and above, as they may have increased risk of bleeding complications even with correct dosages.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Fragmin, either increasing bleeding risk or affecting how well it works. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
- NSAIDs (naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, meloxicam, indometacin, keterolac)
- Aspirin (may be prescribed with Fragmin by your doctor)
- Blood thinners (warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin sodium)
- Platelet inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, tirofiban, eptifibatide, dipyradamole)
- Clot-dissolving medicines (alteplase, tenecteplase, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran)
- Dextran for shock treatment
- Probenecid for gout
- Cancer medicines (cytarabine, daunorubicin, fluorouracil, methotrexate)
- Bleeding control medicines (andexanet alfa)
- Antihistamines (especially diphenhydramine)
- Digoxin for heart failure
- Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, tigecycline)
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Potassium-affecting medicines (potassium salts, certain diuretics, heart medications, some antibiotics)
Alcohol & Driving
Fragmin does not typically affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but you should be cautious until you know how it affects you personally.
Alcohol
No specific information is available about alcohol interactions with Fragmin. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor while using this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Fragmin does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, be careful driving or operating machinery until you know if Fragmin affects you personally.
Storage
Keep Fragmin syringes in their original packaging until ready to use. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Temperature requirements vary by strength: store below 30°C for 2,500 IU, 5,000 IU, 12,500 IU, 15,000 IU, and 18,000 IU strengths, and below 25°C for 10,000 IU strength. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Dispose of used syringes safely in a sharps container.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve received too much Fragmin, seek immediate medical attention. Signs of overdose may include abnormal bleeding. If in hospital, tell your doctor or nurse immediately. If at home, call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fragmin begins working immediately after injection to help prevent blood clots. Your doctor will monitor your progress with blood tests to ensure it’s working effectively.
Since Fragmin is given by injection rather than taken by mouth, food does not affect how it works. You can eat normally while receiving Fragmin treatment.
No, Fragmin is not addictive. It’s a blood-thinning medication that works to prevent dangerous blood clots and does not cause dependence.
Do not stop using Fragmin or change your dosage without checking with your doctor first. Stopping suddenly could increase your risk of developing blood clots.
No specific information is available about alcohol interactions with Fragmin. You should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor while using this medication.
Fragmin should be used with caution in elderly patients, especially those 80 years and above, as they may have an increased risk of bleeding complications even when correct dosages are used.
For twice daily injections: inject if less than 6 hours late, otherwise skip and continue normal schedule. For once daily: inject if less than 12 hours late, otherwise skip. Contact your doctor if concerned.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.