Innohep (Tinzaparin)

Usually your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on how to use Innohep before you give yourself the first injection. Your doctor or nurse will tell you the volume to inject.
Remember you may not need to inject the entire contents of the syringe.

Instructions on injecting yourself with Innohep:

• 1) Wash your hands and the area that you will inject with soap and water. Dry them.
• 2) Sit or lie in a comfortable position so you are relaxed. Make sure you can see the place you are going to inject. A lounge chair, recliner, or bed propped up with pillows is ideal.
• 3) Choose an area on the right or left side of your stomach. This should be at least 5 centimetres away from your belly button and out towards your sides.
• Remember: Do not inject yourself within 5 centimetres of your belly button or around existing scars or bruises. Change the place where you inject between the left and right sides of your stomach, depending on the area you were last injected.
• 4) Carefully pull off the needle cap from the Innohep syringe. Throw away the cap. The syringe is pre-filled and ready to use. Do not press on the plunger before injecting yourself to get rid of air bubbles. This can lead to a loss of the medicine. Once you have removed the cap, do not allow the needle to touch anything. This is to make sure the needle stays clean (sterile).
• 5) Hold the syringe in the hand you write with (like a pencil) and with your other hand, gently pinch the cleaned area of your abdomen between your forefinger and thumb to make a fold in the skin. Make sure you hold the skin fold throughout the injection.
• 6) Hold the syringe so that the needle is pointing downwards (vertically at a 90º angle). Insert the full length of the needle into the skin fold.
• 7) Press down on the plunger with your finger. This will send the medication into the fatty tissue of the stomach. Make sure you hold the skin fold throughout the injection.
• 8) Remove the needle by pulling it straight out. You can now let go of the skin fold.
• To avoid bruising, do not rub the injection site after you have injected yourself.
• 9) Drop the used syringe into the sharps bin provided. Close the container lid tightly and place the container out of reach of children.
• When the container is full, give it to your doctor or home care nurse for disposal. Do not put it in the household rubbish.

What’s the dose?

The usual dose is 175 units per kilogram of your bodyweight.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs which affect the cells in your blood, or thin the blood, as these may increase the effect of Innohep e.g.

• aspirin
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g. ibuprofen
• dextran
• vitamin K antagonists (warfarin)

Also tell your doctor if you are:

• taking medicine to prevent loss of potassium
• if you are going to have an injection into a muscle, since this may cause bruising in the muscle if taking Innohep also.

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the other medicines you are taking, including the ones that you have bought yourself and including herbal medicines.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

• Like all medicines, Innohep can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
• Like other medicines which stop blood from clotting, Innohep increases the chance of bleeding.

Serious side effects: Tell a doctor/nurse immediately if any of the following happen. You may have to stop your treatment:

Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people):

• Your doctor may see a decrease in some blood cells (platelets). Your doctor will stop your Innohep treatment and the changes are usually reversed when you stop taking Innohep

Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people):

• Serious bleeding, for example: blood in your urine or bowel motion or nose bleed

The following side effects have also been reported and you should tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you have any of the following problems.

very common side effects (affects more than 1 in 10 people):

• reactions around the injection site such as: minor bruising, pain, irritation, itch, raised red patches of skin or blood spots under skin.

common side effects (affects less than 1 in 10 people):

• rash
• your doctor may see an increase in liver enzymes in your blood tests

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• There are no known interactions between alcohol and Innohep.
• Always ask your pharmacist/doctor however as other tablets you are taking may have a bearing on whether you can drink alcohol or not.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Tell your doctor, BEFORE you are given Innohep®, if you are pregnant, might be pregnant or you are breast-feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinzaparin_sodium

http://www.rxlist.com/innohep-drug.htm

https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2158628.PPA0465_322_002.b0bd61fa-23b9-4513-a446-242ac22ebba4.000001Product%20Leaflet%20Approved.150312.pdf

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/innohep.html