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Heparin

Pronounced

"HEP-uh-rin"

Common brand names:

Hepalean

Uses

This medication is used to prevent and treat blood clots. It may be used to prevent and treat blood clots in the lungs/legs (including in patients with atrial fibrillation). It may be used to treat certain blood clotting disorders. It may also be used to prevent blood clots after surgery, during dialysis, during blood transfusions, when collecting blood samples, or when a person is unable to move for a long time. Heparin helps to keep blood flowing smoothly by making a certain natural substance in your body (anti-clotting protein) work better. It is known as an anticoagulant.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used to reduce the risk of blood clots in people who have had certain types of heart attack, or who have a certain type of chest pain called unstable angina.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using heparin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is given by injection into a vein or under the skin as directed by your doctor. Do not inject this medication into a muscle. The dosage and how often you use it are based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment.

Heparin comes in many strengths. Serious (sometimes fatal) injuries have occurred when the wrong strength was used. Check that you are using the correct strength and dose before injecting this medication.

If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

If you are injecting heparin into a vein, flush the catheter/line with normal saline before and after infusing drugs that interact with heparin such as doxorubicin, droperidol, ciprofloxacin, and mitoxantrone.

If you are injecting heparin under the skin, clean the skin you are going to inject into (the injection site) with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.

Your doctor may direct you to switch to an anticoagulant taken by mouth (such as warfarin). Use this medication and any new medication exactly as directed by your doctor.