4.1. Therapeutic indications

Treatment of venous thrombosis and thromboembolic disease including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus in adults.

Extended treatment of venous thromboembolism and prevention of recurrences in adult patients with active cancer.

For some patients with pulmonary embolism (e.g. those with severe haemodynamic instability) alternative treatment, such as surgery or thrombolysis, may be indicated.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Treatment in adults

175 anti-Xa IU/kg body weight given subcutaneously once daily for at least 6 days and until adequate oral anticoagulation is established.

Extended treatment in adult patients with active cancer

175 anti-Xa IU/kg body weight given subcutaneously once daily for a recommended treatment period of 6 months. The benefit of continued anticoagulation treatment beyond 6 months should be evaluated.

Neuraxial anaesthesia

Treatment doses of tinzaparin sodium (175 IU/kg) are contraindicated in patients who receive neuraxial anaesthesia, see section 4.3. If neuraxial anaesthesia is planned, tinzaparin sodium should be discontinued at least 24 hours before the procedure is performed. Tinzaparin sodium should not be resumed until at least 4-6 hours after the use of spinal anaesthesia or after the catheter has been removed.

Interchangeability

For interchangeability with other LMWHs, see section 4.4.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of tinzaparin sodium in children below 18 years have not yet been established. Currently available data are described in section 5.2, but no recommendation on a posology can be made.

Renal impairment

If renal impairment is suspected, renal function should be assessed using a formula based on serum creatinine to estimate creatinine clearance level.

Use in patients with a creatinine clearance level <30 ml/minute is not recommended, as dosage in this population has not been established. Available evidence demonstrates no accumulation in patients with creatinine clearance levels down to 20 ml/min. When required in these patients, tinzaparin sodium treatment can be initiated with anti-Xa monitoring, if the benefit outweighs the risk (see section 4.4: Renal impairment). In this situation, the dose of tinzaparin sodium should be adjusted, if necessary, based on anti-factor Xa activity. If the anti-factor Xa level is below or above the desired range, the dose of tinzaparin sodium should be increased or reduced respectively, and the anti-factor Xa measurement should be repeated after 3-4 new doses. This dose adjustment should be repeated until the desired anti-factor Xa level is achieved. For guidance, mean levels between 4 and 6 hours after administration in healthy volunteers and patients without severe renal insufficiency have been between 0.5 and 1.5 IU/anti-factor Xa IU/ml. Anti-factor Xa activity determinations were by a chromogenic assay.

Elderly

Tinzaparin sodium should be used in the elderly in standard doses. Precaution is recommended in the treatment of elderly patients with renal impairment. If renal impairment is suspected, see section 4.2: Renal impairment and section 4.4: Renal impairment.

Method of administration

Parenteral products should be inspected visually prior to administration. Do not use if cloudiness or precipitate is observed. The liquid may turn yellow by storage but is still suitable.

Administration is by subcutaneous injection. This can be done in abdominal skin, the outer side of the thigh, lower back, upper leg or upper arm. Do not inject in the area around the navel, near scars or in wounds. For abdominal injections, the patient should be in supine position, alternating the injections between left and right side. The air-bubble within the syringe should not be removed. During the injection, the skin should be held in a fold.

Doses are administered in 1,000 IU increments facilitated by the 0.05 ml graduations on the syringes. The calculated dose, based on the patient's body weight, should therefore be rounded up or down as appropriate. If necessary, any excess volume should be expelled, to achieve the appropriate dosage before SC injection.

Guide to appropriate dosages for different body weights - 175 IU/kg body weight subcutaneously once daily

Kg*

International units

(IU)

Injection volume (ml)

20,000 IU/ml in graduated syringes

32-37

6,000

0.30

38-42

7,000

0.35

43-48

8,000

0.40

49-54

9,000

0.45

55-59

10,000

0.50

60-65

11,000

0.55

66-71

12,000

0.60

72-77

13,000

0.65

78-82

14,000

0.70

83-88

15,000

0.75

89-94

16,000

0.80

95-99

17,000

0.85

100-105

18,000

0.90

*For patients weighing <32 kg or >105 kg, the same calculation as above should be used to establish the appropriate dose/volume

4.3. Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Current or history of immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) (see section 4.4).

• Active major haemorrhage or conditions predisposing to major haemorrhage. Major haemorrhage is defined as fulfilling any one of these three criteria: a) occurs in a critical area or organ (e.g. intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, retroperitoneal, intra-articular or pericardial, intra-uterine or intramuscular with compartment syndrome), b) causes a fall in haemoglobin level of 20 g/L (1.24 mmol/L) or more, or c) leads to transfusion of 2 or more units of whole blood or red blood cells.

• Septic endocarditis.

• Treatment doses of tinzaparin sodium (175 IU/kg) are contraindicated in patients who receive neuraxial anaesthesia. If neuraxial anaesthesia is planned, tinzaparin sodium should be discontinued at least 24 hours before the procedure is performed. Tinzaparin sodium should not be resumed until at least 4-6 hours after the use of spinal anaesthesia or after the catheter has been removed. Patients should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of neurological injury.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Haemorrhage

Caution is advised when administering tinzaparin sodium to patients at risk of haemorrhage. For patients at risk of major haemorrhage see section 4.3. The combination with medicinal products affecting platelet function or the coagulation system should be avoided or carefully monitored (see section 4.5).

Intramuscular injections

Tinzaparin sodium should not be administered by intramuscular injection due to the risk of haematoma. Due to the risk of haematoma, concomitant intramuscular injections should also be avoided.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Platelet count should be measured before the start of treatment and periodically thereafter because of the risk of immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II). Tinzaparin sodium must be discontinued in patients who develop immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) (see section 4.3 and 4.8). Platelet counts will usually normalise within 2 to 4 weeks after withdrawal.

Regular monitoring of platelet count also applies to extended treatment for cancer‑associated thrombosis, especially during the first month, considering that cancer and its treatments such as chemotherapy may also cause thrombocytopenia.

Hyperkalaemia

Heparin products can suppress adrenal secretion of aldosterone, leading to hyperkalaemia. Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, pre‑existing metabolic acidosis, raised plasma potassium at pre-treatment, concomitant therapy with drugs that may elevate plasma potassium, and long-term use of tinzaparin sodium. In patients at risk, potassium levels should be measured before starting tinzaparin sodium and monitored regularly thereafter. Heparin-related hyperkalaemia is usually reversible upon treatment discontinuation, though other approaches may need to be considered (e.g. decreasing potassium intake, discontinuing other drugs that may affect potassium balance).

Prosthetic heart valves

There have been no adequate studies to assess the safe and effective use of tinzaparin sodium in preventing valve thrombosis in patients with prosthetic heart valves; therefore no dosage recommendations can be given. High doses of tinzaparin sodium (175 IU/kg) may not be sufficient prophylaxis to prevent valve thrombosis in patients with prosthetic heart valves. The use of tinzaparin sodium cannot be recommended for this purpose.

Renal impairment

Use in patients with a creatinine clearance level < 30 ml/minute is not recommended, as dosage in this population has not been established. Available evidence demonstrates no accumulation in patients with creatinine clearance levels down to 20 ml/minute. When required in these patients, tinzaparin sodium treatment can be used cautiously with anti-Xa monitoring, if the benefit outweighs the risk (see section 4.2). Although anti-Xa monitoring remains a poor predictor of haemorrhage risk, it is the most appropriate measure of the pharmacodynamic effects of tinzaparin sodium.

Elderly

Elderly are more likely to have reduced renal function (see Section 4.4: Renal impairment); therefore caution should be exercised when prescribing tinzaparin sodium to the elderly.

Interchangeability

Low molecular weight heparins should not be used interchangeably because of differences in pharmacokinetics and biological activities. Switching to an alternative low molecular weight heparin, especially during extended use, must be exercised with particular caution and specific dosing instructions for each proprietary product must be followed.

Excipient warnings

Tinzaparin sodium 20,000 IU/ml contains sodium metabisulfite. Metabisulfites may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm. Tinzaparin sodium 20,000 IU/ml must be used with caution in patients with asthma.

This medicinal product contains up to 40 mg sodium per mL, equivalent up to 2% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The anticoagulant effect of tinzaparin sodium may be enhanced by other drugs affecting the coagulation system, such as those inhibiting platelet function (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), thrombolytic agents, vitamin K antagonists, activated protein C, direct factor Xa and IIa inhibitors. Such combinations should be avoided or carefully monitored (see section 4.4).

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Anticoagulant treatment of pregnant women requires specialist involvement.

Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.

A large amount of data on pregnant women (more than 2,200 pregnancy outcomes) indicate no malformative nor feto/neonatal toxicity of tinzaparin. Tinzaparin does not cross the placenta. Tinzaparin sodium can be used during all trimesters of pregnancy if clinically needed.

Epidural anaesthesia:

Due to the risk of spinal haematoma, treatment doses of tinzaparin sodium (175 IU/kg) are contraindicated in patients who receive neuraxial anaesthesia. Therefore, epidural anaesthesia in pregnant women should always be delayed until at least 24 hours after administration of the last treatment dose of tinzaparin sodium. Prophylactic doses may be used as long as a minimum delay of 12 hours is allowed between the last administration of tinzaparin sodium and the needle or catheter placement.

Pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves:

Therapeutic failures and maternal death have been reported in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves on full anticoagulant doses of tinzaparin sodium and other low molecular weight heparins. In the absence of clear dosing, efficacy and safety information in this circumstance, tinzaparin sodium is not recommended for use in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves.

Breastfeeding

In patients at risk, the incidence of venous thromboembolism is particularly high during the first 6 weeks after child birth.

The passage of tinzaparin into human breast milk is expected to be very low. The oral absorption of any trace amount of tinzaparin sodium in the breast milk to the infant is very unlikely. Tinzaparin can be used during breastfeeding.

Fertility

There are no clinical studies with tinzaparin sodium regarding fertility.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Tinzaparin sodium has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

4.8. Undesirable effects

The most frequently reported undesirable effects are haemorrhage events, anaemia secondary to haemorrhage and injection site reactions.

Haemorrhage may present in any organ and have different degrees of severity. Complications may occur particularly when high doses are administered. Although major haemorrhages are uncommon, death or permanent disability has been reported in some cases.

Immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) largely manifests within 5 to 14 days of receiving the first dose. Furthermore, a rapid-onset form has been described in patients previously exposed to heparin. Immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) may be associated with arterial and venous thrombosis. Tinzaparin sodium must be discontinued in all cases of immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (see section 4.4).

In rare cases, tinzaparin sodium may cause hyperkalaemia due to hypoaldosteronism. Patients at risk include those with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (see section 4.4).

Serious allergic reactions may sometimes occur. These include rare cases of skin necrosis, toxic skin eruption (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome), angioedema and anaphylaxis. Treatment should be promptly discontinued at the slightest suspicion of such severe reactions.

The estimation of the frequency of undesirable effects is based on a pooled analysis of data from clinical studies and from spontaneous reporting.

Undesirable effects are listed by MedDRA SOC and the individual undesirable effects are listed starting with the most frequently reported. Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness.

Very common

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Very rare

Not known

≥1/10

≥1/100 to < 1/10

≥1/1,000 to <1/100

≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000

<1/10,000

(cannot be estimated from the available data)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Common

Anaemia (incl. haemoglobin decreased)

Uncommon

Thrombocytopenia (type I) (incl. platelet count decreased)

Rare

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II) Thrombocytosis

Immune system disorders

Uncommon

Hypersensitivity

Rare

Anaphylactic reaction

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Rare

Hyperkalaemia

Vascular disorders

Common

Haemorrhage

Haematoma

Uncommon

Bruising, ecchymosis and purpura

Hepatobiliary disorders

Uncommon

Hepatic enzyme increased (incl. increased transaminases, ALT, AST and GGT)

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon

Dermatitis (incl. dermatitis allergic and bullous)

Rash

Pruritus

Rare

Toxic skin eruption (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

Skin necrosis

Angioedema

Urticaria

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Rare

Osteoporosis (in connection with long-term treatment)

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Rare

Priapism

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common

Injection site reaction (incl. injection site haematoma, haemorrhage, pain, pruritus, nodule, erythema and extravasation)

Patients with cancer on extended treatment

In a trial of patients with cancer on extended (6 months) treatment with tinzaparin sodium, the overall frequency of adverse reactions was comparable to that seen in other patients treated with tinzaparin sodium. Patients with cancer generally have an increased risk of haemorrhage, which is further influenced by older age, comorbidities, surgical interventions and concomitant medications. Thus, as expected, the incidence of haemorrhagic events was higher than previously observed in short-term use, and similar to the rates seen with extended use of anticoagulants in patients with cancer.

Paediatric population

Limited information derived from one study and postmarketing data indicates that the pattern of adverse reactions in children and adolescents is comparable to that in adults.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Haemorrhage is the main complication of overdose. Due to the relatively short half-life of tinzaparin sodium (see section 5.2), minor haemorrhages can be managed conservatively following treatment discontinuation. Serious haemorrhage may require the administration of the antidote protamine sulfate. Patients should be carefully monitored.

Any hypovolaemia should be actively managed. Transfusion of fresh plasma may be used, if necessary. Plasma anti-Factor Xa and anti-Factor IIa activity should be measured during the management of overdose situations. Usually, the anticoagulant effects will have reduced to negligible levels after 24 hours, but treatment should be according to the patient's clinical condition.