Refludan

What is it?

An anticoagulant available as a powder in vials containing 50mg of lepirudin per ml, when reconstituted.

Medical Uses

In patients with thrombocytopaenia type 11 (a bleeding disorder) or thromboembolic disease associated with heparin in whom parenteral antithrombotic treatment is necessary.

Dosage

Adults, 0.4mg per kg of body weight at first as intravenous bolus injection. Then, 0.15mg per kg of body weight per hour delivered by continuous intravenous infusion, treatment to continue for 2 to 10 days. Maximum dose not to exceed that appropriate for person weighing 110kg and dosages to be carefully adjusted to individual patient.

Special Care

Presence of antibodies against hirudin, liver or kidney disorders; aPTT must be monitored.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, conditions predisposing to bleeding.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Anticoagulants taken by mouth, thrombolytics (drugs which break up blood clots).

Known Side Effects

Reactions at injection site, anaemia, kidney failure, bleeding, fever, allergic reactions. Any adverse side effects should be reported to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM).