Description of Heparin

Heparin is an injectable anticoagulant medication that is used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and help prevent harmful clots from forming in blood vessels. Blood clots most often occur in people who can't move around well or who have had recent surgery or an injury. Blood clots that form in the veins in your legs, arms, and groin can break loose and move to other parts of your body, including your lungs or brain with potentially fatal consequences.

How This Anticoagulant Works

Heparin is sometimes called a blood thinner, although it does not actually thin the blood. Once injected, Heparin (Heparin Sodium) will prevent the formation of blood clots by blocking the action of factors X and II. These are two of the 12 proteins in your blood that promote clotting. With the help of Heparin, your blood will flow smoothly throughout your body. Heparin will not dissolve blood clots that have already formed, but it may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.

Uses for Heparin

Heparin is used to prevent or treat certain blood vessel, heart, and lung conditions. Heparin is also used to prevent blood clotting during open-heart surgery, bypass surgery, kidney dialysis, and blood transfusions. It is used in low doses to prevent the formation of blood clots in some patients, especially those who must undergo a surgical procedure the requires remaining in bed for a long time.

Heparin may also be used to diagnose and treat a serious blood condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation. Disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC is a condition in which blood clots form throughout the body's small blood vessels. These blood clots can reduce or block blood flow through the blood vessels, which can damage the body's organs.

Before You Take Heparin

To make sure Heparin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of the following: infection of the lining of the heart; uncontrolled high blood pressure; liver disease; bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; stomach or intestinal disorder; menstrual period. Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding as Heparin could be harmful during these times.

Explain other health matters you are experiencing and list any OTC or Rx drugs you currently take or use, including herbal remedies and vitamin supplements, as some meds can interfere with how Heparin works.

Proper Use of Heparin

If your doctor prescribes Heparin for you to inject at home as prescribed, you will be shown how to draw up Heparin from the vial and how/where the injection is administered. You may bleed and bruise more easily while you are using Heparin so avoid situations where you could be injured. Never share any medications with anyone and keep them out of children’s reach.

Possible Side Effects of Heparin

• Itching of the feet
• Bluish skin
• Irritation at the point of injection

You should stop using Heparin and contact your doctor if you experience any of the more serious side effects associated with Heparin: trouble breathing; sudden numbness or weakness; sudden severe headaches; chest pain; trouble breathing; fever or chills; pain or swelling in the legs.

Drugs Similar to Heparin

• Lovenox Vial
• Lovenox Prefilled Syringe
• Fragmin