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Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of heparin in children. However, because heparin contains benzyl alcohol, use in newborn babies is not recommended.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of heparin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to develop bleeding problems, which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving heparin.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breastfeeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abciximab
- Acenocoumarol
- Alprostadil
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Anisindione
- Anistreplase
- Antithrombin, Recombinant
- Ardeparin
- Argatroban
- Aspirin
- Bivalirudin
- Cefamandole
- Cefoperazone
- Certoparin
- Chamomile
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clopidogrel
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Defibrotide
- Dermatan Sulfate
- Desirudin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dextran
- Dicumarol
- Duloxetine
- Enoxaparin
- Eptifibatide
- Escitalopram
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Garlic
- Ginkgo
- Heparin
- Lamifiban
- Milnacipran
- Moxalactam
- Nadroparin
- Nitroglycerin
- Papaya
- Parnaparin
- Paroxetine
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Reteplase, Recombinant
- Reviparin
- Sertraline
- Sibrafiban
- St John's Wort
- Streptokinase
- Tan-Shen
- Tenecteplase
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- Urokinase
- Venlafaxine
- Warfarin
- Xemilofiban
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Avocado
- Chondroitin
- Coenzyme Q10
- Curcumin
- Dong Quai
- Ginger
- Green Tea
- Vitamin A
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergies or asthma (history of)—The risk of an allergic reaction to heparin may be increased.
- Bacterial endocarditis (heart infection) or
- Blood disease or bleeding problems or
- Heavy or unusual menstrual bleeding (periods) or
- High blood pressure (hypertension), severe or
- Liver disease or
- Major surgery (e.g., eye, brain, or spine surgery) or
- Spinal anesthesia (numbing medicine placed in the back) or
- Stomach or intestinal ulcer—Use with caution. The risk of bleeding may be increased.
- Bleeding, active or
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet in the blood), severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
