Heparin is given to help prevent blood clots in some individuals. It can also stop the growth of already established blood clots. It is classified as an anticoagulant, or blood thinner and is given in many hospitals and surgery centers. The injection can be taken by the patient, or a healthcare provider may be the one giving the shot.
How Heparin is Used
Heparin is a liquid that is injected into IV catheters, into veins, or deep under the skin. It is not given in a muscle. It is typically given one to six times a day or as a slow continuous flow. It can also be used with aspirin to prevent pregnancy loss.
Who Gives Heparin
A nurse or healthcare worker will give the shot, or you may be instructed to give the injection yourself at your residence. If you are injecting yourself, you shouldn’t use more than is necessary and should follow the nurses or doctors advice on directions.
Heparin Side Effects
Some symptoms include hair loss, bruising at injection site, redness or pain at injection site, or sores at injection site. Serious side effects include blood in the urine, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, black or tarry stools, bright red bloody stools, bruising, bleeding, chest pain or pressure, or coughing up blood. Others include chills, fever, rash, hives, wheezing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. More serious side effects include sudden trouble walking, sudden loss of coordination, fainting, severe headache, sweating excessively, and discomfort in arms, jaw, neck, back, or shoulder. Lastly, itching and burning, purple or black skin discoloration, sudden confusion, sudden weakness or numbness in face or extremities, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, painful hours-long erection, or pain and discoloration of extremities.
Osteoporosis Link
This medication may cause osteoporosis. This is a condition that causes weak brittle bones. It is more prevalent in those that have used the heparin for a long period of time.
Heparin Precautions
If you have allergies to heparin, beef products, pork products, or other allergies, tell your doctor prior to taking the heparin injection. Also let your doctor know if you are taking vitamins and nutritional supplements. You should also tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Heparin is also given to interstitial cystitis patients as a bladder wash for its anti-inflammatory and surface protective properties. Some patients cannot tolerate it as a bladder wash and may have cramps afterwards.
Source: Medline plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682826.html
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
