Drug interactions
Aprotinin + Heparin
Severity: Moderate
Aprotinin and Heparin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
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.
Summary
Aprotinin is used in cardiac surgery to reduce bleeding and prolongs the celite activated clotting time, so heparin anticoagulation can appear stronger than it is with some tests. Heparin dosing in bypass therefore needs a test not distorted by aprotinin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aprotinin and Heparin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Aprotinin inhibits kallikrein and contact activation, prolonging celite ACT and altering the apparent heparin effect.
What to do
Guide heparin dosing during bypass by kaolin ACT or heparin concentration measurement rather than celite ACT alone. Maintain target anticoagulation per institutional protocol.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Heparin
- Defibrotide + Heparin Contraindicated
- Heparin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Heparin + Oritavancin Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Heparin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Heparin Major
- Alteplase + Heparin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aprotinin with Heparin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aprotinin and Heparin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Aprotinin is used in cardiac surgery to reduce bleeding and prolongs the celite activated clotting time, so heparin anticoagulation can appear stronger than it is with some tests. Heparin dosing in bypass therefore needs a test not distorted by aprotinin.
How serious is the interaction between Aprotinin and Heparin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Guide heparin dosing during bypass by kaolin ACT or heparin concentration measurement rather than celite ACT alone. Maintain target anticoagulation per institutional protocol.
What other medicines interact with Heparin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Heparin with, for example, Defibrotide, Ketorolac, Oritavancin. The full list is on the Heparin page.
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