Heparin (Heparin) Drug Overview of Drug Interactions and Missed Dose for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Heparin

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) »

Introduction to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Arteries have thin muscles within their walls to be able to withstand the pressure of the heart pumping blood to the far reaches of the body. Veins don't have a significant muscle lining, and there is nothing pumping blood back to the heart except physiology. Blood returns to the heart because the body's large muscles squeeze the veins as they contract in their normal activity of moving the body. The normal activities of moving the body returns the blood back to the heart.

There are two types of veins in the leg; superficial veins and deep veins. Superficial veins lie just below the skin and are easily seen on the surface. Deep veins, as their name implies, are located deep within the muscles of the leg. Blood flows from the superficial veins into the deep venous system through small perforator veins. Superficial and perforator veins have one-way valves within them that allow blood to flow only in the direc...

Read the Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) article »

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DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), antithrombin III, digoxin, mifepristone, nicotine (e.g., patch, gum), nitroglycerin given by injection, other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., anticoagulants such as warfarin, antiplatelet drugs including NSAIDs such as ketorolac), tetracyclines.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully because many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) that can increase the risk of bleeding when used with heparin. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if it has been prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Do not mix or infuse heparin together in the same line or catheter with doxorubicin, droperidol, ciprofloxacin, or mitoxantrone.

Cigarette smoking decreases blood levels of this medication. Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have recently stopped smoking.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including certain liver function tests, prothrombin time), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: easy/unusual bruising, bleeding such as persistent nosebleeds, blood in urine, black stools.

NOTES: Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., hematocrit, complete blood count, platelet counts, activated partial thromboplastin time, test for blood in stool) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

STORAGE: Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).