Tinzaparin

Pronunciation: tin-ZAP-a-rin
Generic Name: Tinzaparin
Brand Name: Innohep

Tell your doctor you use Tinzaparin before you have any type of spinal puncture or epidural/spinal anesthesia. Patients who have these procedures while they use Tinzaparin are at risk for developing a blood clot on or near the spinal cord. This could result in long-term or permanent paralysis.

The risk is increased in patients who have an indwelling epidural catheter, or traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture, a history of a deformed spine or spinal surgery, and in patients who use medicines that may affect blood clotting such as warfarin, aspirin, platelet inhibitors (eg, clopidogrel), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen).

If you have a spinal puncture or epidural/spinal anesthesia while you use Tinzaparin, tell your doctor immediately if you notice any signs or symptoms of nerve problems, such as numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or paralysis.

Tinzaparin is used for:

Treating certain types of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) when used along with warfarin.

Tinzaparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). It works by blocking the formation of blood clots, including fibrin clots.

Do NOT use Tinzaparin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tinzaparin


• you are allergic to heparin, sulfites, benzyl alcohol, or pork products


• you have active severe high blood pressure, major bleeding, or a history of low platelets or bleeding problems due to the use of heparin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tinzaparin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tinzaparin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of kidney problems, liver problems, or stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcers), stroke, asthma, or vision problems caused by diabetes


• if you have inflammation of the heart due to a bacterial infection, severe, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or amyloidosis


• if you have a history of stroke, asthma, or vision problems caused by diabetes


• if you have a bleeding disorder or a history of brain bleeding or blood conditions


• if you have recently had or are scheduled to have brain, spine, or eye surgery, an epidural catheter, or a spinal puncture


• if you are taking medicines that affect platelets (eg, aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine)


• if you are 70 years old or older and have decreased kidney function

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tinzaparin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Activated protein C, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), dextran, dipyridamole, direct factor XA inhibitors (eg, rivaroxaban), direct thrombin inhibitors (eg, dabigatran), injectable cephalosporins (eg, cephazolin), injectable penicillins (eg, ampicillin), NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen, ketorolac, naproxen), platelet inhibitors (eg, clopidogrel, ticlopidine), salicylates (eg, aspirin), sulfinpyrazone, or thrombolytics (eg, streptokinase) because the risk of side effects, such as bleeding, may be increased


• Nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin) because they may decrease the effectiveness of Tinzaparin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tinzaparin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tinzaparin:

Use Tinzaparin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Tinzaparin is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Tinzaparin at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.


• Use the proper technique taught to you by your doctor. Inject deep under the skin, NOT into the muscle or a vein.


• Do not use Tinzaparin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Tinzaparin, contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tinzaparin.

Important safety information:

• Some of these products contain sulfites. Sulfites may cause an allergic reaction in some patients (eg, asthma patients). If you have ever had an allergic reaction to sulfites, ask your pharmacist if your product has sulfites in it.


• Tinzaparin may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Tinzaparin may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Tinzaparin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, check the label to see if it has aspirin or ibuprofen in it. If it does or you are not sure, contact your doctor or pharmacist.


• Tinzaparin may affect certain lab tests, including liver enzyme. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Tinzaparin.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts (eg, platelet counts), and tests for blood in the stool, may be performed while you use Tinzaparin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Tinzaparin with caution in the ELDERLY; the risk of death may be greater in patients 70 years old and older who have decreased kidney function. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.


• Tinzaparin has benzyl alcohol in it. Do not use it in NEWBORNS or INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects.


• Tinzaparin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tinzaparin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Tinzaparin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Tinzaparin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Tinzaparin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Mild bleeding, bruising, irritation, pain, redness or swelling at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody, black, or tarry stools; chest pain; confusion; coughing up blood; difficult or painful urination; difficulty walking; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; irregular heartbeat; joint or muscle pain; nosebleed; tingling, numbness (especially in the legs and feet), and muscle weakness; one-sided weakness; pale skin; pink or red urine; prolonged, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness or weakness; severe or persistent headache, nausea, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech; swelling; unusual bleeding or bruising, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Tinzaparin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include unusual bleeding or bruising (eg, nosebleeds, easy bruising, bloody urine or stools).

Proper storage of Tinzaparin:

Store Tinzaparin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tinzaparin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Tinzaparin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Tinzaparin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tinzaparin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Tinzaparin resources

• Tinzaparin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Tinzaparin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Tinzaparin Drug Interactions
• Tinzaparin Support Group
• 1 Review for Tinzaparin - Add your own review/rating

• tinzaparin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• tinzaparin Subcutaneous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Innohep Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Innohep Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare Tinzaparin with other medications

• Deep Vein Thrombosis