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.

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.

• 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.

• The multidose vial formulations of tinzaparin sodium contain 10 mg/ml of the preservative benzyl alcohol. These formulations must not be given to premature babies and neonates due to the risk of gasping syndrome.

The tinzaparin sodium 20,000 IU/ml syringe formulation does not contain the preservative benzyl alcohol.

• 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.

• In patients receiving heparin for treatment rather than prophylaxis, locoregional anaesthesia in elective surgical procedures is contraindicated because the use of heparin may be very rarely associated with epidural or spinal haematoma resulting in prolonged or permanent paralysis.

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).

Neuraxial anaesthesia

In patients undergoing peridural or spinal anaesthesia or spinal puncture, the prophylactic use of heparin may be very rarely associated with epidural or spinal haematoma resulting in prolonged or permanent paralysis. The risk is increased by the use of a peridural or spinal catheter for anaesthesia, by the concomitant use of drugs affecting haemostasis such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors or anticoagulants, and by traumatic or repeated puncture.

In decision making on the interval between the last administration of heparin at prophylactic doses and the placement or removal of a peridural or spinal catheter, the product characteristics and the patient profile should be taken into account. Subsequent dose should not take place before at least 4 hours have elapsed. Re-administration should be delayed until the surgical procedure is completed.

Should a physician decide to administer anticoagulation in the context of peridural or spinal anaesthesia, extreme vigilance and frequent monitoring must be exercised to detect any signs and symptoms of neurologic impairment, such as back pain, sensory and motor deficits and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Patients should be instructed to inform immediately a nurse or a clinician if they experience any of these.

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

The multidose vial formulations of tinzaparin sodium contain 10 mg/ml of the preservative benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions. Benzyl alcohol may cause toxic and anaphylactoid reactions in infants and children up to 3 years old (see section 4.3 for premature babies and neonates). High volumes should be used with caution and only if necessary, especially in subjects with liver or kidney impairment because of the risk of accumulation of toxicity (metabolic acidosis).

Some formulations of tinzaparin sodium contain sodium metabisulfite. Metabisulfites may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm. Tinzaparin sodium formulations containing sodium metabisulfite must be used with caution in patients with asthma.

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

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).

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.

Excipients:

Tinzaparin sodium vials contain benzyl alcohol. As this preservative may cross the placenta and may cause accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis), tinzaparin sodium formulations without benzyl alcohol (syringes) should be used during pregnancy.

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.

Excipients:

Tinzaparin sodium vials contain benzyl alcohol. Due to a risk of accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis), tinzaparin sodium formulations without benzyl alcohol (pre-filled syringes) are the preferred choice during breastfeeding.

Fertility

There are no clinical studies with tinzaparin sodium regarding fertility.

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

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.

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.

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.

Tinzaparin sodium is an antithrombotic agent. It potentiates the inhibition of several activated coagulation factors, especially Factor Xa, its activity being mediated via antithrombin III.

The pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamic activity of tinzaparin sodium is monitored by anti-Factor Xa activity. Following subcutaneous injection of tinzaparin sodium, anti-Factor Xa activity reaches a maximum at 4-6 hours (peak anti-Factor Xa activity, after administration of 175 anti-Factor Xa IU/kg bodyweight once daily, is approximately 0.5-1.0 IU/ml). Detectable anti-Factor Xa activity persists for 24 hours.

Paediatric population

Preliminary data on the use of tinzaparin suggest that younger children including neonates and infants clear tinzaparin faster and therefore might require higher doses than older children. However, data are not sufficient to allow for dosing recommendations, see section 4.2.

There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SmPC.

Sodium metabisulfite

Benzyl alcohol

Sodium hydroxide

Water for injections

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

2 years.

Chemical and physical in use stability has been demonstrated for 28 days at 30° C.

From a microbiological point of view, once opened, the product may be stored for a maximum of 28 days at 30° C. Other in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

2 ml multi-dose glass vial containing 20,000 anti-Factor Xa IU/ml.

Pack sizes: 1 or 10 vials.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.