home > drugs a-z list > heparin (heparin) drug center > heparin (heparin) drug - consumer side effects and precautions

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: swelling at injection site, bone pain, easily broken bones.

This medication can cause bleeding if it has too much effect on your blood. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of serious bleeding, including unusual pain/swelling/discomfort, prolonged bleeding from cuts or gums, persistent nosebleeds, unusually heavy/prolonged menstrual periods, unusual/easy bruising, dark urine, black stools, severe headache, unusual dizziness.

Some patients can have certain bad reactions to heparin (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-HIT or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis-HITT). This can occur during treatment and up to several weeks after treatment with heparin has stopped.

Get medical help right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: pain/loss of feeling in the arms/legs, change in color of the arms/legs, chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, vision changes.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

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

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using heparin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to pork products; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: very low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), uncontrollable bleeding.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe high blood pressure (hypertension), heart problems (e.g., infection of the heart, heart attack), recent surgery/procedure, cancer, bleeding/clotting disorders (e.g., hemophilia, antithrombin III deficiency), stomach/intestinal ulcers or tube drainage, liver disease, kidney disease, current/recent bleeding (e.g., from wounds, menstrual period).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

This medication contains sodium. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are on a salt-restricted diet or if you have a condition that could be worsened by an increase in salt intake (e.g., congestive heart failure).

Adults over 60 years of age, especially women, may be at greater risk for bleeding while using this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication does not pass into breast milk. However, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.