Description
Taurolidine and heparin combination is used to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients with kidney failure receiving hemodialysis.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Solution
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Defencath® in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Defencath® in the elderly.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Defibrotide
- Oritavancin
- Telavancin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abciximab
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Alipogene Tiparvovec
- Alprostadil
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Anistreplase
- Antithrombin, Recombinant
- Apixaban
- Argatroban
- Aspirin
- Bemiparin
- Betrixaban
- Bivalirudin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Cangrelor
- Caplacizumab-yhdp
- Cefamandole
- Cefoperazone
- Celecoxib
- Chamomile
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clonixin
- Clopidogrel
- Collagenase, Clostridium histolyticum
- Curcumin
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Dextran
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Chondroitin
- Coenzyme Q10
- Dong Quai
- Ginger
- Palifermin
- Vitamin A
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Avocado
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergy to pork products or
- Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets), heparin-induced—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or clinic. This medicine is a catheter lock solution. It is given through your central venous catheter.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or bruise more easily. To help with these problems, stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have difficulty in breathing or swallowing, fast heartbeat, skin itching, rash, or redness, or swelling of the face, throat, or tongue after receiving this medicine.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Bleeding gums
- blood in the eye
- confusion
- coughing up blood
- difficulty in breathing or swallowing
- dizziness
- eye pain
- headache
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- nausea and vomiting
- nosebleeds
- paralysis
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- red or black, tarry stools
- red or dark brown urine
- redness in whites of the eyes
- stroke
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Less common
- Bone, chest, or muscle pain
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Rare
- Irregular heartbeat
- mood or mental changes
- muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
- numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
- seizures
- stomach cramps
- tremor
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
- Change or loss of taste
Incidence not known
- Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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