Heparin

Heparin

Generic Name: heparin (HEP a rin)

Brand names: Hep-Pak, Heparin Lock Flush, Hep-Pak CVC, Hep-Lock, Heparin Sodium ADD-Vantage

What is heparin?

Heparin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation of blood clots.

Heparin is used to treat and prevent blood clots in the veins, arteries, or lung. Heparin is also used before surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Heparin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about heparin

Before using heparin, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, an infection involving your heart, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, a stomach or intestinal disorder, liver disease, or if you are on your period.

Heparin can cause you to have bleeding episodes while you are using it and for several weeks after you stop. Call your doctor at once if you have easy bruising or unusual bleeding, such as a nosebleed, black or bloody tarry stools, or any bleeding that will not stop.

Certain medicines can increase your risk of bleeding while you are using heparin, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Women over 60 years of age may be more likely to have bleeding episodes while using heparin.

Before using heparin

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to heparin, or if you have:

a severe lack of platelets in your blood; or

uncontrolled bleeding.

To make sure you can safely use heparin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);

uncontrolled high blood pressure;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;

a stomach or intestinal disorder;

liver disease; or

if you are having a menstrual period.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether heparin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using heparin. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Women over 60 years of age may be more likely to have bleeding episodes while using heparin.

See also: Heparin pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use heparin?

Heparin is injected under the skin or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home.

Heparin must not be injected into a muscle. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

To be sure heparin is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your stools may also need to be checked for blood. Visit your doctor regularly.

Do not use a heparin injection if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

You may be switched from injectable heparin to an oral (taken by mouth) blood thinner. Do not stop using the heparin until your doctor tells you to. You may need to use both the injection and the oral forms of heparin for a short time. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of heparin.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include easy bruising, nosebleeds, blood in your urine or stools, black or tarry stools, or any bleeding that will not stop.

What should I avoid while using heparin?

Avoid taking other medicines that can increase your risk of bleeding, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

Heparin side effects

Heparin can cause you to have bleeding episodes while you are using it and for several weeks after you stop. Call your doctor at once if you have easy bruising or unusual bleeding, such as a nosebleed, blood in your urine or stools, black or tarry stools, or any bleeding that will not stop. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to heparin: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or feeling like you might pass out.

Some people receiving a heparin injection have had a reaction to the infusion (when the medicine is injected into the vein). Tell your caregiver right away if you feel nauseated, light-headed, sweaty, or short of breath during or after a heparin injection.

Stop using heparin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate;

pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;

trouble breathing; or

fever, chills, runny nose, or watery eyes.

Less serious heparin side effects may include:

mild pain, redness, warmth, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;

mild itching of your feet; or

bluish-colored skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Heparin Dosing Information

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis:

Continuous IV Infusion: 5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1300 units/hour by continuous IV infusion. Alternatively, a bolus dose of 80 units/kg IV one time followed by 18 units/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion may be used.

Intermittent subcutaneous injection: 17,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

The dosage should be adjusted to maintain the aPTT at 1.5 to 2.5 times control.

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis -- Prophylaxis:

5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours. This dosage may be adjusted to maintain the aPTT at the upper end of the normal range.

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Pulmonary Embolism:

Continuous IV Infusion: 5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1300 units/hour by continuous IV infusion. Alternatively, a bolus dose of 80 units/kg IV one time followed by 18 units/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion may be used.

If it is suspected that the patient has experienced a massive pulmonary embolism, a more appropriate initial dosage may be an IV bolus of 10,000 units followed by 1500 units/hour.

Intermittent subcutaneous injection: 17,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

The dosage should be adjusted to maintain the aPTT at 1.5 to 2.5 times control.

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Myocardial Infarction:

5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1000 units/hour by continuous IV infusion.

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Angina Pectoris:

5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1000 units/hour by continuous IV infusion.

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Anticoagulation During Pregnancy:

5000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours. This dosage may be adjusted to maintain the 6-hour aPTT at 1.5 times control or greater.

Usual Adult Heparin Dose for Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder:

100 units/mL every 6 to 8 hours for PVC catheters and peripheral heparin locks. Additional flushes should be given when stagnant blood is observed in catheter, after catheter is used for drug or blood administration, and after blood withdrawal from catheter.

Addition of 0.5 to 1 unit/mL to peripheral and central TPN has been shown to increase duration of line patency. Arterial lines are heparinized with a final concentration of 1 unit/mL.

Usual Pediatric Heparin Dose for Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder:

IV line flush:

Infant Dose: 10 units/mL every 6 to 8 hours.

Child Dose: 100 units/mL every 6 to 8 hours for PVC catheters and peripheral heparin locks. Additional flushes should be given when stagnant blood is observed in catheter, after catheter is used for drug or blood administration, and after blood withdrawal from catheter.

Addition of 0.5 to 1 unit/mL to peripheral and central TPN has been shown to increase duration of line patency. Arterial lines are heparinized with a final concentration of 1 unit/mL.

What other drugs will affect heparin?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

another blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin);

salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others;

dipyridamole (Persantine);

nicotine cigarettes, gum, lozenges, or skin patches;

cold, allergy, or sleep medications (Allerest, Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, Sominex, Tylenol PM, and others);

hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox);

digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or

demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Alodox, Avidoxy, Oraxyl, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), or tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with heparin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Heparin resources

Heparin Dosage

Heparin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Heparin Drug Interactions

Heparin Support Group

0 Reviews for Heparin - Add your own review/rating

Heparin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Heparin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Heparin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

heparin Intravenous, Subcutaneous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Heparin Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare Heparin with other medications

Angina

Anticoagulation During Pregnancy

Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis, Prophylaxis

Heart Attack

Pulmonary Embolism

Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about heparin.