Heparin Coupon & Discounts

How do I take heparin?

Heparin is administered either intravenously or injected deeply under the skin; there are no heparin pills. Intravenous administrations are performed in a medical setting; if you will be injecting heparin yourself, your doctor will explain and demonstrate how and where to inject the medication. Follow the instructions that accompany the prescription, ask for clarification on anything you do not understand, and inject only the amount and strength prescribed.

What if I forget to take a dose of heparin?

If you will be self-injecting heparin (there are no heparin pills), discuss with your doctor the proper protocol in the event of a missed dose. Do not change the amount, dosage strength, or dosing frequency without the express permission of your healthcare provider.

What happens if I overdose on heparin?

If an overdose of heparin is suspected, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If the individual has collapsed or stopped breathing, contact Emergency Services at 911. Signs of an overdose include black, tarry stools, bloody urine, easy bruising, nose bleed, blood in stools, unusual bleeding, or vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds.

Before taking heparin, tell your doctor if:

• You are allergic to heparin, beef products, pork products, other medications, or any of the ingredients in the heparin medicine

• You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are nursing a child

• You are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, or supplements

• You are taking other anti-coagulants

• You are taking antihistamines, anti-thrombin III, NSAIDs (including aspirin), digoxin, dextran, dipyridamole, indomethacin, hydroxychloroquine, indomethacin, tetracycline antibiotics, or quinine

• You have, or have had, low platelet levels, a bleeding disorder, or heavy bleeding that cannot be easily stopped

• You have an infection, a fever, or are currently menstruating

• You have had a spinal tap, spinal anesthesia, or surgery particularly spinal, brain, or eye

• You have an anti-thrombin III deficiency, blood clots in the legs, lungs, or anywhere in the body, or unusual bruising or purple spots under the skin

• You have, or have had, cancer, stomach or intestinal ulcers, hypertension, heart attack, or liver disease

• You have a tube that drains the stomach or intestines

• You smoke or use tobacco products

What are the possible side effects of taking heparin?

Some patients have reported side effects after an injection of the heparin drug. Mild side effects include hair loss or redness, irritation, swelling, or pain at the injection site. If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, contact your healthcare provider.

Severe side effects requiring immediate medical attention include blood in the urine, pain, pressure, or a squeezing discomfort in the chest, chills, coughing up blood, symptoms of an allergic reaction, vision problems in one or both eyes, arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, or back discomfort, excessive sweating, excessive fatigue, fever, hoarseness, lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, pain and blue or dark discoloration in the arms or legs, priapism, purple or black skin discoloration, bloody, black, or tarry stools, sudden disorientation, difficulty speaking, problems with speech comprehension, loss of coordination, loss of balance, sudden severe headache, trouble walking, numbing or weakening of the arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, unusual bruising or bleeding, vomiting, bloody vomit, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shortness of breath or wheezing.

How do I store heparin?

If you will be administering the heparin medicine at home, discuss the proper method for storage with your doctor. Keep it out of the reach of children and away from extremes of temperature and humidity. Do not freeze heparin vials. Dispose of any unused or expired quantities according to the instructions of your pharmacist.

Warnings

Contact your doctor if you become pregnant while using heparin. Using a dosage strength that is different from what was prescribed can be life-threatening. Always check the label to make sure you are using the prescribed concentration of heparin.

Brand Names

Heparin is an anticoagulant that is available only as a generic medication. However, there are multiple formulations of this medication and care must be taken to ensure you have received the one prescribed by your doctor. For those needing assistance with managing the heparin price, FamilyWize offers a free heparin coupon that delivers discounts of up to 65% off the cost at local pharmacies. Download one and use it the next time you fill a prescription and take advantage of the savings it delivers.