Drug reference
heparin
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Cardiovascular (Anti Thrombotics)
Mechanism of action
Mechanism for low dose: Inactivates factor Xa and inhibits conversion of prothrombin to thrombin Mechanism for high dose: Inactivates factors IX, X, XI, and XII and thrombin and inhibits conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin Also inhibits activation of factor VIII
Common side effects
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, possibly delayed
- Hemorrhage
- Mild pain
- Injection site ulcer (after deep SC injection)
- Increased liver aminotransferase
Contraindications
- Uncontrollable active bleeding state except when this is due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) In whom suitable blood coagulation tests – eg, whole blood clotting time, partial thromboplastin time, etc, – cannot be performed at appropriate intervals (contraindication refers to full…
Known interactions (16)
- aspirin + heparin Major
- bazedoxifene-conjugated estrogens + heparin Major
- cilostazol + heparin Major
- clopidogrel + heparin Major
- eptifibatide + heparin Major
- ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + heparin Major
- ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + heparin Major
- heparin + mifepristone Major
- heparin + ticlopidine Major
- heparin + warfarin Major
- abciximab + heparin Moderate
- anagrelide + heparin Moderate
- desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + heparin Moderate
- dipyridamole + heparin Moderate
- estradiol + heparin Moderate
- heparin + tirofiban Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is heparin?
heparin belongs to: Cardiovascular.
How does heparin work?
Mechanism for low dose: Inactivates factor Xa and inhibits conversion of prothrombin to thrombin Mechanism for high dose: Inactivates factors IX, X, XI, and XII and thrombin and inhibits conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin Also inhibits activation of factor VIII
What are the common side effects of heparin?
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, possibly delayed, Hemorrhage, Mild pain, Injection site ulcer (after deep SC injection), Increased liver aminotransferase
Which drugs interact with heparin?
aspirin, bazedoxifene-conjugated estrogens, cilostazol, clopidogrel, eptifibatide, ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel, mifepristone, ticlopidine, warfarin, abciximab, anagrelide, desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol, dipyridamole, estradiol
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