• If you have an allergy to heparin or any other part of this medicine.
• If you are allergic to pork products, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a sulfite allergy, talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Bleeding problems or low platelet count.
• Heparin changes the body's clotting system. It thins the blood to prevent clots from forming.
• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein or into the fatty part of the skin.
• This medicine is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.
• Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Move site where you give the shot with each shot.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Signs or symptoms of bleeding.
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
Created: 2006-11-02 14:57:35.0
Modified: 2010-03-15 13:03:57.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• This medicine is used to thin the blood so that clots will not form.
• This medicine is used to treat blood clots.
• This medicine is used to decrease heart attacks in patients who have unstable angina or mild heart attacks.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Wear disease medical alert identification.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
• Use caution to prevent injury and avoid falls or accidents.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Bleeding problems.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• Weakened bones with long-term use.
• Severe allergic reactions can rarely occur.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Falls or accidents, especially if you hit your head. Talk with healthcare provider even if you feel fine.
• Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
• Severe headache.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
