Heparinised Saline Injection (Heparin Sodium)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Heparinised Saline Injection Used For?
Heparinised Saline Injection contains heparin sodium, which belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants. These medicines work by reducing your blood’s ability to clot and help prevent clots from forming in blood vessels.
Primary Uses
This injection is used to prevent blood clots from blocking injection equipment that is placed in your arm and injected into your vein.
How It Works
Anticoagulants are sometimes called ‘blood thinners,’ though they don’t actually thin your blood. Heparin won’t dissolve blood clots that have already formed, but it may prevent existing clots from getting larger and causing serious problems.
Good to know: This medication helps keep medical equipment clear and functioning properly during your treatment.
How to Take Heparinised Saline Injection
This medication is given only by trained healthcare professionals in a hospital or medical setting.
Administration Method
The injection is put into an injection device that is positioned in your arm and injected into your vein. Your doctor will decide how much medication you need.
Professional Administration Only
This medication must only be given by a doctor or nurse. You cannot administer this yourself.
Important: This medication is given under close medical supervision, so overdose is very unlikely.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Change in skin color or pain at injection site
- Itchy or burning soles of feet
- Hair loss
- Receding gums, brittle nails, weaker hand grip, back pain, stooping posture
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- Unexplained nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums when brushing teeth
- Red or dark brown urine
- Bloody or black stools
- Signs of allergy (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue)
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, trouble breathing
- Fever, chills, runny nose, watering eyes
- Nausea, vomiting, headache
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where this medication should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Heparinised Saline Injection
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to heparin sodium, pork products, or any ingredients in the injection. Also avoid if you have a bleeding disease, blood vessel problems, or low blood platelet count.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, blood diseases, bleeding problems, heavy menstrual periods, stomach ulcers, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or if you’ve had recent medical or dental surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of receiving heparin during these times.
Elderly Patients: This medication should be used with caution in patients aged 60 years and above, as they may have an increased risk of bleeding complications.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interfere with Heparinised Saline Injection and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare team about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about any medicines, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking.
- Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen
- Heart medications like digoxin, nitroglycerin, dipyridamole
- Antibiotics like tetracycline, cephamandole, penicillins
- Arthritis medicines like hydroxychloroquine
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin and phenobutazone
- Hay fever medicines (antihistamines)
- Blood thinners like warfarin and aprotinin
- Diuretics like spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride
- Potassium supplements
- Gout medicines like probenecid
- Cancer treatments
- Epilepsy medicines like valproic acid
- Thyroid medicines like propylthiouracil
- Corticosteroids
- Insulin
Alcohol & Driving
This medication has specific considerations regarding alcohol consumption but does not affect your ability to drive.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Heavy drinking increases your risk of bleeding complications compared to moderate drinkers or non-drinkers.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Heparinised Saline Injection does not affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Storage
This medication will be stored in the pharmacy or hospital ward under the correct conditions. You don’t need to worry about storage as it’s handled by healthcare professionals.
Overdose Information
Since this medication is given in a hospital under close medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. The main sign of too much medication would be unusual bleeding or hemorrhage, including nosebleeds, blood in urine, or dark stools. Easy bruising or small spots on the skin may appear before heavier bleeding. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you’re concerned about receiving too much medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works immediately to help prevent blood clots from forming in your injection equipment once it’s administered by your healthcare provider.
No, you should not receive this medication if you’re allergic to pork products, as heparin sodium is derived from pig intestines.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions, especially bleeding disorders, heart problems, liver or kidney disease, and all medications you’re taking including vitamins and supplements.
Watch for unusual bleeding or bruising, changes at the injection site, signs of allergic reactions like rash or breathing problems, or any other concerning symptoms. Alert your healthcare team immediately if you notice these.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Heavy drinking increases your risk of bleeding complications, so your doctor needs to know about your alcohol consumption.
Remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist that you’ve recently received Heparinised Saline Injection, especially if you need medical, dental, or surgical procedures or blood tests in the following weeks.
This medication should be used with caution in patients aged 60 and above as they may have an increased risk of bleeding complications. Your doctor will carefully monitor you.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.