Drug General Information (ID: DDIGM17ZRA)
Drug Name			Drotrecogin alfa		Drug Info		Ardeparin		Drug Info
Drug Type		Protein/peptide				Small molecule
Therapeutic Class		Coagulation Modifiers				Anticoagulants

Mechanism of Drotrecogin alfa-Ardeparin Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
Increased risk of bleeding Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Drug Name		Drotrecogin alfa				Ardeparin
Mechanism		Risk of bleeding Anticoagulant effects				Risk of bleeding Anticoagulant
Key Mechanism Factor 1
		Factor Name		Bleeding
		Factor Description		Patients may be at risk for bleeding when the outcome of a disease or disease treatment confounds the standard mechanisms for maintaining hemostasis. Signs or symptoms of abnormal bleeding include: bleeding that takes a long time to stop (including nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bleeding from cuts and abrasions, and menstrual bleeding); severe unexplained bruising, or bruising that becomes larger; blood in the urine or stool, etc.
Mechanism Description		Increased risk of bleeding by the combination of Drotrecogin alfa and Ardeparin

Recommended Action
Management		In general, any agent that can enhance the risk of hemorrhage including other anticoagulants should be discontinued prior to initiation of LMWH, heparinoid, or fondaparinux therapy. If coadministration is necessary, it should be undertaken with caution and only after thorough assessment of risks and benefits. Close clinical and laboratory observation for bleeding complications is recommended. Patients undergoing neuraxial intervention and treated with these agents should also be monitored frequently for signs and symptoms of neurologic impairment such as midline back pain, sensory and motor deficits (numbness or weakness in lower limbs), and bowel or bladder dysfunction. The optimal timing between the administration of anticoagulants and neuraxial procedures is not known.

References
1	Product Information. Fragmin (dalteparin). Pharmacia and Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI.
2	Product Information. Lovenox (enoxaparin). Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Collegeville, PA.
3	Product Information. Normiflo (ardeparin). Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA.