HEPARIN INJECTION

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet formed from becoming larger and any other medicine causing serious problems. any other substances, such as This leaflet answers some common Injection is used for foods, preservatives or dyes questions about Heparin Injection. It prevention and treatment of 2. you are pregnant or intend to does not contain all the available caused by blood clots such as in become pregnant information. It does not take the certain blood vessel, heart and lung place of talking to your doctor or conditions. It is also used to prevent your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of pharmacist. blood clots from forming during being given heparin during surgery, or blood All medicines have benefits and . risks. Your doctor has weighed the transfusions. 3. you are breast-feeding or plan risks of you using Heparin Injection Heparin Injection may be used for against the benefits this medicine is the treatment of other conditions that to breast feed expected to have for you. are not mentioned above. Your your doctor will discuss the This medicine is likely to be used doctor will be able to tell you about possible risks and benefits of being given heparin whilst while you are at the clinic or in the specific condition for which you . hospital. If possible, please read this have been prescribed Heparin leaflet carefully before this medicine Injection. 4. you have or have had any is given to you. In some cases this This medicine is available only with medical conditions or leaflet may be given to you after the a doctor's prescription. procedures, especially the medicine has been used. following: If you have any concerns about heart problems or high blood using this medicine, ask your pressure doctor or pharmacist. Before you are given blood or bleeding Keep this leaflet. HEPARIN INJECTION problems You may need to read it again. heavy or unusual periods When you must not be given it medical or dental procedure stomach ulcer Do not use Heparin Injection if What HEPARIN you: disease INJECTION is used for have an allergy to heparin or pork kidney disease products Heparin Injection belongs to a group Taking other medicines have, or may have, a bleeding of medicines known as disease or a problem with your Tell your doctor if you are taking . Anticoagulants work blood vessels any other medicines, including any by decreasing the clotting ability of that you buy without a your blood and help stop clots have a low blood count prescription from your pharmacy, forming in the blood vessels. If you are not sure whether any of supermarket or health food shop. Anticoagulants are sometimes called these apply to you, check with your Some medicines and heparin may "blood thinners", although they do doctor. not actually thin the blood. Heparin interfere with each other. These will not dissolve blood clots that Before you are given it include: have already formed, but it may pain relieving medicines such as Tell your doctor if: prevent any clots that have already and ibuprofen 1. you have any allergies to:

HEPARIN INJECTION 1 medicines for heart and How HEPARIN telephone the Poisons Information circulation problems such as INJECTION is given Centre (in Australia, phone 13 11 26; digitalis, nitroglycerine, in New Zealand, phone 0800 and epoprostenol POISON or 0800 764 766) for How it is given medicines for hayfever such as advice, or go to Accident and antihistamines Heparin Injection can be injected Emergency at your nearest hospital if under the skin or into a vein. you have side effects after being medicines for rheumatoid Sometimes it may be diluted and given Heparin Injection. You may such as hydroxychloroquine given to you as a slow injection into need urgent medical attention. anti-inflammatory medicines such one of your veins (this is called an as indomethacin and intravenous infusion). Heparin phenylbutazone Injection must only be given by a nicotine doctor or nurse. While you are given anticlotting medicines such as HEPARIN INJECTION How much is given aprotinin and Things you must do medicines which cause increased Your doctor will decide what dose, volume of urine such as how often and how long you will If you are about to be started on spironolactone, triamterene and receive Heparin Injection. This any new medicine, remind your amiloride depends on your condition and other doctor and pharmacist that you factors, such as age, blood tests, potassium supplements including are being given Heparin Injection. method it is being given and whether potassium containing salt Tell any other doctors, dentists, or not other medicines are being substitutes given at the same time. and pharmacists who treat you medicines for treating gout such that you are being given this To prevent clots forming, you will as probenecid medicine. usually be given a deep injection If you are going to have surgery, medicines for reducing swelling under the skin 2 hours before surgery tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that of the body such as ethacrynic and every 8 - 12 hours for up to a acid week after surgery. This will depend you are being given this medicine. medicines for treatment on your condition. It may affect other medicines used such as cytostatic and To help clots that have already during surgery. asparaginase formed you will be given Heparin If you are about to have any blood antibiotics such as tetracyclines, Injection either as a continuous or tests, tell your doctor that you are cephamandole and penicillins intermittent infusion into the vein. being given this medicine. Your doctor may also choose to medicines used for epilepsy It may interfere with the results of inject Heparin Injection under the (seizures) such as valproic acid some tests. skin after giving you the first dose by medicines used for thyroid an intravenous injection. problems such as propylthiouracil substances used to enhance the If you are given too much Side effects contrast of structures or fluids (overdose) within the body in medical This rarely happens as Heparin Tell your doctor or nurse as soon imaging Injection is administered under the as possible if you do not feel well care of a highly trained doctor. while you are being given heparin. insulin However, if you are given too much Like other medicines, heparin can cause some side effects. If they Your doctor and pharmacist have heparin, you may experience some of occur, most are likely to be minor or more information on medicines to be the effects listed under "Side effects" careful with or avoid while using this below. temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention. medicine. Your doctor has information on how Your doctor will advise you about to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor or nurse to answer any questions that you may continuing to take other medicines Ask your doctor if you have any have. while you are receiving Heparin concerns. Injection. In the case of an overdose, Do not be alarmed by this list of immediately tell your doctor or possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

HEPARIN INJECTION 2 Tell your doctor or nurse as soon After using HEPARIN Australian Registration as possible if you notice any of the INJECTION Numbers following: AUST R 49232 - Heparin Injection - change in skin colour or pain Storage 5,000IU/5mL (sterile) - Steriluer® around the injection site ampoule (50's) Heparin Injection will be stored in fever the pharmacy or on the ward. The AUST R 49232 - Heparin Injection - chills injection is kept in a cool dry place, 5,000IU/5mL (sterile) - Steriluer® runny nose where the temperature stays below ampoule (10's) 25°C. watering eyes AUST R 49236 - Heparin Injection - 25,000IU/5mL (sterile) - Steriluer® nausea and vomiting ampoule (50's) headache itchy soles of the feet Product Description Date of preparation These are side effects of heparin. November 2012 What it looks like Mostly these are mild and short- lived. Heparin Injection is a clear, ® Registered trademark. Tell your doctor or nurse colourless to straw coloured solution © Copyright Pfizer Pty Ltd. immediately if you experience any in a plastic ampoule. of the following: Ingredients bleeding or bruising more easily than normal e.g. unexplained Heparin Injection contains Heparin , heavy periods, BP (porcine) 1000IU/mL or bleeding from gums when 5000IU/mL in sterile water. It does brushing teeth not contain a preservative. If you drink heavily you have a greater risk of bleeding compared Manufacturer to moderate drinkers or non Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited drinkers. Elderly patients (older ABN 32 051 824 956 than 65 years of age), particularly women, have a greater risk of 15 Brodie Hall Drive, bleeding. Bentley WA 6102 Australia abdominal or stomach pain, back pain, blood in urine or stools, Supplier vomiting of blood Heparin Injection is supplied in signs of allergy such as a rash, Australia by: itching, hives on the skin, Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd swelling of the face, lips, tongue ABN 50 008 422 348 or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or 38-42 Wharf Road trouble breathing West Ryde NSW 2114 Australia numbness, tingling or muscle Toll Free number: 1800 675 229 weakness, abnormal function or

loss of control of your bowel or urine It is supplied in New Zealand by: persistent painful erection Pfizer New Zealand Limited These side effects are serious. You PO Box 3998 may need urgent medical attention. Auckland, New Zealand Other side effects not listed above Toll Free number: 0800 736 363 may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Some side effects may only be seen by your doctor.

HEPARIN INJECTION 3