HIT is marked by a 50%+ reduction of platelets from the patient's baseline, so we need to monitor their thrombocyte count closely. Heparin can also cause something called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) which leads to decreased platelet counts.

Immune hypersensitivity is also a possible side effect when using heparin. If a patient is given too much heparin, or if it’s working too well, bleeding and bruising will occur. It prevents new clots from forming and existing clots from getting any bigger, but it will not break down clots. It blocks our blood clotting mechanism by inactivating the major clotting protein thrombin. Heparin works by activating antithrombin, which is a naturally occurring protein in the bloodstream that prevents us from clotting too much. A subcutaneous injection is a shot given directly into the fat layer between the skin and muscle and allows a drug to be absorbed slowly over a period of time.Įnoxaparin (Lovenox) is low molecular weight heparin used to treat and prevent the formation of blood clots but is only given subcutaneously and not through an IV. Heparin is a drug that can be administered through an IV or through a subcutaneous injection. It is also used to prevent blood clotting during open-heart surgery, bypass surgery, kidney dialysis and blood transfusions. Heparin can be used for things such as a stroke, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a pulmonary embolism (PE) or other thromboembolic disorders that require fast anticoagulation.

Anticoagulants make blood flow more freely.

Heparin is an important anticoagulant medication used to treat and prevent blood clots from forming in people who have certain medical conditions or who are undergoing certain medical procedures. IV/subcutaneous anticoagulants - heparin, enoxaparin

Antidote warfarin