Applies to desirudin: subcutaneous powder for injection.
Warning
You should not use this medicine if you have active or uncontrolled bleeding, or an irreversible blood clotting disorder.
Desirudin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you are also using other drugs that can affect blood clotting, including blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, and others). This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.
Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot: back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual bleeding);
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pain, swelling, or drainage from a wound or where a needle was injected in your skin;
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bleeding from wounds or needle injections, any bleeding that will not stop;
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headache, dizziness, weakness, feeling like you might pass out;
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urine that looks red, pink, or brown; or
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bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Serious side effects may be more likely in adults who are 75 years or older.
Common side effects may include:
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nausea;
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vomiting; or
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fever.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to desirudin: subcutaneous powder for injection.
General
The most common adverse reaction was hemorrhage.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Any hemorrhage (30%)
Common (1% to 10%): Serious hemorrhage, deep vein thrombosis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Major hemorrhage
Frequency not reported: Thrombosis, hypotension
Postmarketing reports: Fatal hemorrhage[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Wound secretion
Frequency not reported: Leg edema, fever, healing impaired[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea
Frequency not reported: Vomiting, hematemesis[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia
Frequency not reported: Hemoglobin decreased[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Irritative skin reactions[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Injection site mass[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction, anti-hirudin antibodies
Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Dizziness, cerebrovascular disorder[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Hematuria[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Leg pain[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Epistaxis[Ref]
