Do not use heparin injection to flush (clean out) an intravenous (IV) catheter, or fatal bleeding could result. A separate product is available to use as catheter lock flush.
You should not use heparin if you have uncontrolled bleeding or a severe lack of platelets in your blood. Do not use this medicine if you have ever been diagnosed with “heparin-induced thrombocytopenia,” or low platelets caused by heparin or pentosan polysulfate.
Heparin increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. You will need frequent tests to measure your blood-clotting time.
Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have unusual bleeding or bruising, severe stomach or back pain, unusual tiredness, a nosebleed, blood in your urine or stools, coughing up blood, or any bleeding that will not stop.
Heparin can cause you to have bleeding episodes while you are using it and for several weeks after you stop.
Certain medicines can increase your risk of bleeding while you are using heparin, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Do not use heparin injection to flush (clean out) an intravenous (IV) catheter, or fatal bleeding could result. A separate product is available to use as catheter lock flush.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to heparin or pork products, or if you have:
a history of low platelets in your blood caused by using heparin or pentosan polysulfate;
a severe lack of platelets in your blood; or
uncontrolled bleeding.
You may not be able to use heparin if you are unable to receive routine blood-clotting tests at the proper intervals during treatment.
To make sure heparin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a stomach or intestinal disorder;
liver disease;
if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven) and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests; or
if you are having a menstrual period.
It is not known whether heparin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You may need to use a form of heparin that does not contain a preservative.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
