Fraxiparine injection

Information leaflet on a fraxiparine injection

Introduction
In order to reduce the possibility to develop a thrombosis (cloth in the blood vessel) to a minimum, your doctor has given you a prescription for Fraxiparine (a blood-thinning medicine) injections. You will have to inject yourself once a day with this preparation. A nurse will have explained and shown you the correct way in which to inject yourself. The injections can, however, cause problems. That is why you should read this leaflet carefully. If you do not dare to inject yourself, then ask someone in your household or a trusted friend to do it for you.  

Site of the injection
We advise you to alternate the place where you inject:

• Just under the skin on your stomach; beside or just below the navel (see the photographs in    the leaflet enclosed with the Fraxiparine obtained from the chemist (apotheek);
• On the outer side of your upper leg.  

Do not inject close to any existing wound.



How to work the syringe?

• You release the protective sheath on the syringe (see drawing 1)
• You pinch up a fold of skin from your stomach. From a medical point of view, it is not strictly   necessary to disinfect the area even though you are instructed to do so in the chemist's leaflet
• do not expel the air bubble in the syringe
• you insert the entire needle in the skin fold
• inject slowly. When you are finished, withdraw the needle and release the skin fold. Press the  hole, into which you have injected, gently together with a clean piece of gauze or a cottonwool  swab. Do not rub the injection site as this causes bruising!
• after you have completed the injection, slide the safety catch back over the syringe and then  dispose of it (see drawing 2). After use, the syringe can be thrown away in a rubbish bin.  

Important warning!
If someone else has performed the injection, you must slide the safety catch over the used syringe yourself.  

If there is slight bleeding at the site of the injection, hold a clean gauze or a cotton-wool swab firmly on the wound for a few minutes.



Possible complications  

1. General complication

•  bleeding or bruising at the site of the injection
• bleeding from the small wounds lasting longer than normal
• an existing haemorrhage increases in volume  

2. Specific complications (occur very rarely)

• over-allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, breathlessness or fever. If any of these specific   complications do occur, you must stop the injections immediately.  

How to store the fraxipane
In a dry, cool place but not in the refrigerator. Keep it out of reach of children.  

When you should not use fraxipane

1. Over-allergic to Fraxipane.
2. If you have a blood-clotting disorder that leads to excessive bleeding.
3. You have abnormally high blood pressure.
4. You have internal bleeding from a stomach or duodenal ulcer.  

Important warning!
If you have an impaired kidney - or liver - function, high blood pressure or a stomach or duodenal ulcer, you will possibly have an increased chance of blood loss. You should, therefore, check your urine and your faeces (stool) throughout the period that you are taking blood-thinning medication.  

Finally
If you have any questions, having read this leaflet, do not hesitate to get in touch with your doctor.