Description Of Product
Anticoagulant
CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship
How Does It Work
Potentiates the action of antithrombin III and thereby inactivates thrombin (as well as other coagulation factors IXa, Xa, XIa, XIIa, and plasmin) and prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin while also stimulating the release of lipoprotein lipase.
Indications For Use
Anticoagulation
Precautions
Before starting Heparin make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take if you have severe thrombocytopenia, a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or uncontrolled active bleeding. Heparin use has been associated with rare but serious adverse events such as bleeding, heparin resistance, hyperkalemia, hypersensitivity reaction, osteoporosis, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Heparin is not for use when appropriate blood coagulation tests cannot be obtained at appropriate intervals (applies to full-dose heparin only). Many concentrations of heparin are available ranging from 1 to 20,000 units/mL. Carefully examine each prefilled syringe or vial to ensure the correct concentration is selected.
Usual Dosing
Heparin may be given by continuous IV infusion or subcutaneously depending on the indication. For weight-based IV heparin, an institution-specific dosing nomogram may help to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation more rapidly. If unusually large doses of heparin are required to achieve therapeutic targets, consider possible heparin resistance.
Pharmacist Tips On Using
How to Take: Inject in subcutaneous tissue only (not muscle tissue). Injection sites should be rotated (usually left and right portions of the abdomen, above the iliac crest). May also be given as an IV infusion.
You Need to Avoid: Do not administer IM due to pain, irritation, and hematoma formation.
Side Effects
Thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, bruising at the injection site, major hemorrhage, wound hematoma, elevated liver enzymes, pain at the injection site, epistaxis. The patient should monitor for weakness, dizziness, unexplained edema, black tarlike stool, what appears to be coffee grounds in vomit, major unexplained bruising, minor cuts that do not stop bleeding, blood when brushing teeth etc. These are signs of over anticoagulation or an internal bleed in which case immediate medical attention is required.
Note this is not a complete list of side effects for Heparin, only common ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would my doctor give this to me if it can cause me to have a potentially fatal bleed, is it safe?
Your physician has found that given your medical conditions the reduction of risk of a major clot resulting in a heart attack or stroke far outweighs the increased risk of a bleed. Every medication does have risks however the training of your medical team has established that the benefits outweigh said risks based on their many years of experience, schooling, training, and available clinical data.