Heparin

Heparin injection belongs to a group of medication called anticoagulants. Heparin decreases the clotting tendency of the blood and is used for the prevention of clot formation in the vessels.

It is also called blood thinner. It does not dissolve the already formed clot; instead, it is used to prevent the formation of clots.

Heparin is also used to prevent clotting during bypass surgery, open-heart surgery, kidney dialysis, and blood transfusions.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Solution
• Injectable

Before using Heparin, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies

If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age-specific problems

The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children.

The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, therefore its safety and efficacy have not been established in older age group. However, geriatric population is more prone to having kidney, liver and heart problems.

Pregnancy

Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “C” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus or relevant studies have not been performed.

Drug Interactions

Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together.

So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

This medication should be used cautiously with the following drugs:

• Aceclofenac
• Abciximab
• Alipogene Tiparvovec
• Acemetacin
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Alprostadil
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anistreplase
• Anagrelide
• Antithrombin, Recombinant
• Apixaban
• Argatroban
• Aspirin
• Bivalirudin
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Cefamandole
• Cefoperazone
• Celecoxib
• Chamomile
• Choline Salicylate
• Citalopram
• Clonixin
• Clopidogrel
• Collagenase, Clostridium histolyticum
• Dalteparin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Danaparoid
• Dexibuprofen
• Dextran
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Dipyridamole
• Dipyrone
• Drotrecogin Alfa
• Edoxaban
• Droxicam
• Enoxaparin
• Escitalopram
• Eptifibatide
• Etodolac
• Etoricoxib
• Etofenamate
• Felbinac
• Fenofibric Acid
• Fenofibrate
• Fenoprofen
• Feprazone
• Fepradinol
• Flufenamic Acid
• Floctafenine
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Flurbiprofen
• Garlic
• Ginkgo
• Ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen Lysine
• Ketoprofen
• Iloprost
• Ketorolac
• Lornoxicam
• Levomilnacipran
• Loxoprofen
• Meclofenamate
• Lumiracoxib
• Mefenamic Acid
• Milnacipran
• Meloxicam
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Moxalactam
• Naproxen
• Niflumic Acid
• Nepafenac
• Nimesulide
• Nitroglycerin
• Nintedanib
• Oxaprozin
• Papaya
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Paroxetine
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
• Piketoprofen
• Phenylbutazone
• Piroxicam
• Proglumetacin
• Prasugrel
• Propionic Acid
• Proquazone
• Propyphenazone
• Reteplase, Recombinant
• Rofecoxib
• Rivaroxaban
• Salicylic Acid
• Sertraline
• Salsalate
• St John's Wort
• Sodium Salicylate
• Streptokinase
• Sulindac
• Sulfinpyrazone
• Tan-Shen
• Tenoxicam
• Tenecteplase
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tirofiban
• Ticlopidine
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Treprostinil
• Tolmetin
• Urokinase
• Venlafaxine
• Valdecoxib
• Vilazodone
• Vortioxetine
• Vorapaxar

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Bacterial endocarditis (heart infection) or
• Bleeding problems (eg, hemophilia) or
• Major surgery (eg, eye, brain, or spine)
• Liver disease
• Menstrual bleeding (periods), heavy or unusual
• Stomach or intestinal ulcer
• Spinal anesthesia (numbing medicine placed in the back)
• Bleeding, active
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelets in the blood) caused by heparin

Before using Heparin, there are some precautions you must take. You may bleed or bruise when you are on Heparin. Tell your doctor if you see any bleeding in urine, stool or on your skin.

Do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs while you are on heparin. It is important for your doctor to monitor your response to the medicine and look for any side effects.

Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment. 

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Heparin. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with the following side effects:

• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal or stomach pain or swelling
• Back pain or backaches
• Bleeding from the gums when brushing teeth
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Coughing up blood
• Headaches, severe or continuing
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Heavy bleeding or oozing from cuts or wounds
• Unexplained bruising or purplish areas on the skin
• Menstrual bleeding, unexpected or unusually heavy
• Unexplained nosebleeds
• Chest pain
• Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Blood under the skin (blood blister) at the place of injection
• Fast or irregular breathing
• Chills or fever
• Itching and burning feeling, especially on the bottom of the feet
• Irritation, pain, redness, or ulcers at the place of injection
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain, coldness, or blue color of the skin on the arms or legs
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Peeling of the skin
• Shortness of breath
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes
• Skin color change, especially near the place of injection or in the fingers, toes, arms, or legs
• Tearing of the eyes
• Skin rash, hives, or itching
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing
• Trouble with breathing

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this drug. Also contact your health care professional immediately, if you have overdosed on this drug. If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.