Unfractionated heparin
Anticoagulant
What it is used for
Deep vein thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism: Unstable angina, acute peripheral arterial occlusion, prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery: Clinical selection for Unfractionated heparin should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC. Class context: Anticoagulant. Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Warnings
To screen all patients before initiation of heparin therapy to rule out bleeding disorders; to discontinue immediately in case of the bleeding; monitoring of platelet counts before and during heparin therapy.
Possible side effects
Haemorrhage as the extension of its action; thrombocytopenia caused by a direct non- immunologic effect on circulating platelets; thrombocytopenia caused by the heparin-dependent IgG platelet-aggregating antibody; localized or disseminated thromboses [rare]; hypersensitivity [rare]; deep subcutaneous injection of heparin may cause local irritation [rare], erythema, mild pain, hematoma, ulceration, or cutaneous and subcutaneous necrosis.
Storage
Store as labelled. Keep out of reach of children.
No reviewed patient-education article is available. The fields shown are from the currently verified medicine record and unavailable fields are not inferred.