Dalteparin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation of blood clots.

Dalteparin is used together with aspirin to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attack.

Dalteparin is also used to prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness.

Dalteparin is also used long-term to treat a type of blood clot called venous thromboembolism (VTE) in people with cancer.

Dalteparin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dalteparin, heparin, or pork products, or if you have active bleeding, or a low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using dalteparin.

If you need anesthesia for a medical procedure or surgery, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using dalteparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Dalteparin may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have: a bleeding disorder, hemorrhagic stroke, an infection in the lining of your heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer, or if you have had recent brain, spine, or eye surgery.

Dalteparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your brain or spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you are using other medications to treat or prevent blood clots. Symptoms of this type of blood clot include numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or loss of movement. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using dalteparin.

Many other drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines) can increase your risk of bleeding or life-threatening blood clots, and it is very important to tell your doctor about all medicines you have recently used.

Blood clots around the brain or spinal cord may occur if you use dalteparin with other drugs that can affect blood clotting, including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil or Motrin, and any other medications to treat or prevent blood clots.

Avoid taking aspirin unless your doctor recommends it as part of your treatment. Aspirin can increase your risk of bleeding.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have signs of bleeding such as black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, confusion, feeling like you might pass out, or any bleeding that will not stop.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dalteparin, heparin, or pork products, or if you have:

• active or uncontrolled bleeding; or

• or a low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using dalteparin.

Dalteparin may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have:

• a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;

• hemorrhagic stroke;

• an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);

• uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer; or

• recent brain, spine, or eye surgery.

Dalteparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your brain or spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause long-term paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if you have:

• a genetic spinal defect;

• a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps; or

• if you are using other medications to treat or prevent blood clots.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dalteparin dose adjustment or special tests:

• eye problems caused by diabetes or high blood pressure;

• severe liver or kidney disease;

• recent stomach bleeding; or

• low levels of platelets in your blood.

FDA pregnancy category B. Dalteparin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, some forms of this medication contain a preservative that may be harmful to a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether dalteparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.