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. It 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 product is available to use as catheter lock flush.
Heparin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
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.
Before using heparin, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, an infection involving your heart, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, a stomach or intestinal disorder, liver disease, or if you are on your period.
Heparin can cause you to have bleeding episodes while you are using it and for several weeks after you stop.
Certain medicines can increase your risk of bleeding while you are using heparin, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to heparin, or if you have:
To make sure heparin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);
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uncontrolled high blood pressure;
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a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
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a stomach or intestinal disorder;
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liver disease; or
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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 heparin 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 heparin 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 heparin 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.
Heparin injection side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to heparin: 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 receiving an injection.
Stop using heparin and call your doctor at once if you have:
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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;
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signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;
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signs of a blood clot in your leg--pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;
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fever, chills, runny nose, or watery eyes;
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trouble breathing; or
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(in an infant) extreme drowsiness, weakness, or gasping for breath.
Common heparin side effects may include:
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mild pain, redness, warmth, or skin changes where the medicine was injected;
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mild itching of your feet; or
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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.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Heparin dosing information
Usual Adult Dose of Heparin for Deep Vein Thrombosis:
Continuous IV Infusion: 5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1300 units/hour by continuous IV infusion. Alternatively, a bolus dose of 80 units/kg IV one time followed by 18 units/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion may be used.
Intermittent subcutaneous injection: 17,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.
The dosage should be adjusted to maintain the aPTT at 1.5 to 2.5 times control.
Usual Adult Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis -- Prophylaxis:
5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours. This dosage may be adjusted to maintain the aPTT at the upper end of the normal range.
Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Embolism:
Continuous IV Infusion: 5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1300 units/hour by continuous IV infusion. Alternatively, a bolus dose of 80 units/kg IV one time followed by 18 units/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion may be used.
If it is suspected that the patient has experienced a massive pulmonary embolism, a more appropriate initial dosage may be an IV bolus of 10,000 units followed by 1500 units/hour.
Intermittent subcutaneous injection: 17,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.
The dosage should be adjusted to maintain the aPTT at 1.5 to 2.5 times control.
Usual Adult Dose of Heparin for Myocardial Infarction:
5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1000 units/hour by continuous IV infusion.
Usual Adult Dose for Angina Pectoris:
5000 units IV one time as a bolus dose followed by 1000 units/hour by continuous IV infusion.
Usual Adult Dose for Anticoagulation During Pregnancy:
5000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours. This dosage may be adjusted to maintain the 6-hour aPTT at 1.5 times control or greater.
Usual Adult Dose for Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder:
100 units/mL every 6 to 8 hours for PVC catheters and peripheral heparin locks. Additional flushes should be given when stagnant blood is observed in catheter, after catheter is used for drug or blood administration, and after blood withdrawal from catheter.
Addition of 0.5 to 1 unit/mL to peripheral and central TPN has been shown to increase duration of line patency. Arterial lines are heparinized with a final concentration of 1 unit/mL.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder:
IV line flush:
Infant Dose: 10 units/mL every 6 to 8 hours.
Child Dose: 100 units/mL every 6 to 8 hours for PVC catheters and peripheral heparin locks. Additional flushes should be given when stagnant blood is observed in catheter, after catheter is used for drug or blood administration, and after blood withdrawal from catheter.
Addition of 0.5 to 1 unit/mL to peripheral and central TPN has been shown to increase duration of line patency. Arterial lines are heparinized with a final concentration of 1 unit/mL.
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:
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.
