heparin (injection)
What is the most important information I should know about heparin injection?Heparin injection should not be used to flush (clean out) an intravenous (IV) catheter. A separate heparin product is available to use as catheter lock flush. You should not use this medication if you have uncontrolled bleeding or a severe lack of platelets in your blood. Heparin can cause you to have bleeding episodes while you are using it and for several weeks after you stop. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Using certain medicines with heparin can cause you to bleed more easily. What is heparin injection?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 injection should not be used to flush (clean out) an intravenous (IV) catheter. A separate heparin product is available to use as catheter lock flush. Heparin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using heparin injection?You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to heparin, or if you have: - a severe lack of platelets in your blood; or
- uncontrolled bleeding.
To make sure heparin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: - 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.
It is not known whether heparin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. 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 use heparin injection?Heparin is injected under the skin or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. 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. Do not use the medication 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. Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. 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 injection?Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with heparin may cause you to bleed more easily. What are the possible side effects of heparin injection?Get emergency medical help if you have 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. 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. 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: - signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
- signs of a blood clot in the lung --chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;
- signs of a blood clot in your leg --pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
- fever, chills, runny nose, or watery eyes;
- trouble breathing; or
- (in an infant) extreme drowsiness, weakness, or gasping for breath.
Common 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 other drugs will affect heparin injection?Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially other medicines that prevent blood clots, such as: - argatroban;
- bivalirudin;
- dabigatran;
- dalteparin;
- desirudin;
- enoxaparin;
- fondaparinux;
- rivaroxaban;
- tinzaparin; or
- warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).`
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with heparin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Where can I get more information?Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about heparin.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.03. Revision date: 6/17/2015.
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Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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