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Heparin/sodium chloride (By injection)

Heparin Sodium (HEP-a-rin SOE-dee-um), Sodium Chloride (SOE-dee-um KLOR-ide)

Prevents and treats blood clots. Also prevents clots in the blood vessels before or after surgery or during certain medical procedures. This medicine is a blood thinner.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how heparin/sodium chloride works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Abciximab, dextran, digoxin, dipyridamole, eptifibatide, hydroxychloroquine, nicotine, nitroglycerin, phenylbutazone, tetracycline, thienopyridine, tirofiban
  • Allergy medicine
  • NSAID or pain medicine (including celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin, salicylic acid)
  • Other blood thinners (including dicumarol, warfarin)

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, heart disease, hemophilia (bleeding disorder), high blood pressure, or stomach or bowel problems.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Bleeding problems
  • Blood clotting problems, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke
  • Serious skin or tissue damage, including skin necrosis, gangrene
• This medicine lowers the number of certain blood cells, so you may bleed or bruise more easily. Be careful to avoid injuries.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body, pain in lower leg
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Hair loss
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024