Heparin Injection Bp: An anticoagulant drug

Heparin Injection BP

Heparin Injection BP (British Pharmacopoeia) is a medication used to prevent the formation of blood clots in the body. It contains the active ingredient heparin, which is a natural anticoagulant that works by inhibiting the activity of certain clotting factors in the blood.

Heparin Injection BP is administered by injection into a vein or under the skin, usually by a healthcare professional. It is used to prevent blood clots in a variety of medical conditions, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and heart attacks.

It is important to use Heparin Injection BP as directed by a healthcare provider, as it can have serious side effects if not used correctly. These may include bleeding, allergic reactions, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which is a rare but serious side effect that can cause a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.

Overall, Heparin Injection BP is an important medication for preventing and treating blood clots, but it should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Is a heterogeneous group of straight-chain mucopolysaccharides, called gycosaminoglycan, having anticoagulant properties. heparin injection BP, is sterile solution of Heparin Sodium derived from porcine intestinal mucosa, standardized for anticoagulant activity. it is to be administered by intravenous or deep subcutaneous routes. The potency is determined by a biological assay using USP reference standard based on Heparin activity per milligram.

Mechanism of action of Heparin

Heparin inhibits reactions that lead to the clotting of blood and the formation of fibrin clots both vitro and in vivo. Heparin acts at multiple sites in the normal coagulation system. Small amounts of Heparin in combination with antithrombin iii ( Heparin cofactor) can inhibit thrombosis by inactivating activated Factor X and inhibiting the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin .

Once active thrombosis have developed, larger amounts of Heparin can inhibit further coagulation to fibrin. Bleeding time is usually unaffected by Heparin. Clotting time is prolonged by full therapeutic doses of heparin; in most cases, it is not measurably affected by low doses of Heparin.

Indications and clinical uses of heparin

Heparin Sodium injection is indicated for:

• Anticoagulant therapy in prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and is extension;
• low dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who , for other reasons are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Contraindications

• Severe thrombocytopenia
• when suitable blood coagulation tests, e.g, the whole blood clotting time, partial thromboplastin time, etc, can not be performed at appropriate intervals ( this contraindication refers to full dose heparin; there is no need to monitor  coagulation parameters in patients receiving low dose heparin)
• An uncontrolled active bleeding state, except when this is due to disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Hemorrhage

Hemorrhage can occur at virtually any site in patients receiving heparin. An unexplained fall in hematocrit, fall in blood pressure or any other unexplained symptom should lead to serious consideration of a hemorrhagic event. Heparin Sodium should be used with extreme caution in disease states in which there is increased danger of hemorrhage.

Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity

Use preservative free Heparin Sodium in neonates and infants. The preservative benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death in pediatric patients. the minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known.

Side effects

Heparin injection is generally safe and effective, but like any medication, it can cause side effects. Some of the common side effects of heparin injection include:

• Bleeding or bruising at the injection site
• Minor skin irritation or rash
• Mild nausea or vomiting
• Headache or dizziness
• Bone pain or osteoporosis with long-term use

More serious side effects of heparin injection are less common but can include:

• Severe bleeding or bruising, which can be life-threatening
• Allergic reactions, such as hives, itching, or difficulty breathing
• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a rare but serious side effect that can cause a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, leading to blood clotting or bleeding complications
• Osteoporosis, especially with long-term use
• Abnormal liver function tests

If you experience any of these serious side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately. It is important to use heparin injection as directed by a healthcare professional and to report any side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keywords

• Heparin injection
• Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
• Side effects of heparin injection
• Uses of heparin injection
• Dosage and administration of heparin injection
• Precautions and contraindications for heparin injection
• Drug interactions with heparin injection
• Monitoring and management of heparin therapy

References
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2006/017037s158lbl.pdf
https://www.drugs.com/heparin.html
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3918/heparin-porcine-injection/details
https://www.rxlist.com/heparin-drug.htm
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/calciparine-monoparin-heparin-342169
https://www.medicinenet.com/heparin-injection/article.htm
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1678.pdf
https://davisplus.fadavis.com/3976/meddeck/pdf/heparin.pdf
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/cmi/h/HeparinsodiumPfizer.pdf