danaparoid sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Injectable heparinoid anticoagulant; it does not contain heparin.
Main licensed roles
Surgical deep-vein thrombosis prevention and urgent treatment of thromboembolism associated with current or previous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Administration
Given under the skin or by intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional; it must not be injected into a muscle.
Important practical point
Tell every clinician involved before spinal or epidural anaesthesia or a lumbar puncture.
What is danaparoid sodium used for?
UK-licensed uses for the selected product are:
Preventing deep-vein thrombosis and its consequences in people undergoing general or orthopaedic surgery.
Treating thromboembolic disorders requiring urgent parenteral anticoagulation in people with current or previous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
How does danaparoid sodium work?
Danaparoid works through antithrombin, predominantly inhibiting factor Xa and reducing thrombin generation and clot formation. It has much less activity against thrombin itself and generally has low cross-reactivity with antibodies responsible for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
How to take danaparoid sodium
Danaparoid sodium is a solution for injection normally administered by a doctor or nurse under the skin or through a vein. It must not be given into a muscle. Food does not affect administration. Ensure the treating team knows about planned surgery, spinal or epidural procedures and all other medicines.
Do not self-administer unless the specialist team has provided specific training and instructions.
Tell staff promptly about unusual bruising, bleeding or reactions around the injection site.
Do not use an ampoule if it is damaged or the solution's appearance has changed.
danaparoid sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced platelet count, including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in susceptible people
- Bleeding after a procedure or operation
- Skin rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe, internal or uncontrollable bleeding
- Severe allergic reaction, including wheezing, breathing difficulty or swelling
- A marked platelet fall with new or worsening thrombosis
- Possible spinal or epidural haematoma: back pain, leg numbness or weakness, or bladder or bowel dysfunction
danaparoid sodium in pregnancy
Experience in pregnancy is limited, so danaparoid is not recommended for general use during pregnancy. Available case reports and tested cord-blood samples have not identified placental anti-Xa activity. Specialists have used it when anticoagulation is required, particularly with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or heparin intolerance.
danaparoid sodium while breastfeeding
Tested breast-milk samples contained no or negligible anti-Xa activity, which would be expected to be broken down in the infant's stomach. Use may be considered when alternatives are medically unacceptable, following specialist review.
danaparoid sodium interactions
Medicines that impair clotting or damage the gastrointestinal lining may increase bleeding risk. The clinical team should review all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products.
Vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin
Combined anticoagulant effects can increase bleeding risk, and some clotting-test results may be unreliable shortly after danaparoid administration.
Antiplatelet medicines, including aspirin
Platelet inhibition adds to bleeding risk, particularly around invasive or spinal procedures.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Effects on platelets and the gastrointestinal tract can increase bleeding risk.
Common questions about danaparoid sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is danaparoid sodium the same as heparin?
No. It is a heparinoid anticoagulant but contains no heparin and generally has low cross-reactivity with antibodies responsible for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Why is it used for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia?
It provides urgent injectable anticoagulation without heparin and usually has low antibody cross-reactivity. Platelets and clinical response still require monitoring because cross-reactivity can occasionally occur.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.