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 other purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking heparin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to heparin, or if you have:
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use this medication:
-
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 this medication is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before using heparin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
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.
How should I take heparin?
Heparin is given as an injection into your skin or through a needle placed into a vein. Your
doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions
on how to use your injections at home.
Heparin must not be injected into a muscle.
Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection
and properly dispose of needles and other items used in giving 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 this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your stools may also need to be checked for blood. Do not miss any scheduled visits to
your doctor.
Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any 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 heparin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of heparin?
Contact your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of heparin.
Where can I get more information about heparin?
Your pharmacist has information about heparin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of heparin?
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:
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 headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
-
pain or swelling in one or both legs;
-
trouble breathing; or
-
fever, chills, runny nose, or watery eyes.
Less serious 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.
What is the most important information I should know 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 the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
Women over 60 years of age may be more likely to have bleeding episodes while using
heparin.
What should I avoid while taking 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.
What other drugs will affect heparin?
Before using heparin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
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, and others);
-
hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or
-
demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx,
Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline
(Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
heparin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of heparin?
