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Heparin Sodium In Plastic Container (HEPARIN)
Heparin works by binding to Antithrombin-III, a protein that inhibits the formation of blood clots.
Heparin Sodium In Plastic Container (HEPARIN) is an anti-coagulant medication originally developed by ORGANON USA INC and currently owned by the same company. It targets Antithrombin-III and is used to treat various conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and non-Q wave myocardial infarction. Heparin is a small molecule medication that has been FDA approved since 1939 and is off-patent, meaning it is available from generic manufacturers. It is used to prevent blood clot formation and maintain patency of indwelling vascular catheters. As an off-patent medication, it is widely available and used in clinical practice.
At a glance
| Generic name | HEPARIN |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Merck & Co. |
| Drug class | Anti-coagulant |
| Target | Antithrombin-III |
| Modality | Oligosaccharide |
| Therapeutic area | Cardiovascular |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1939 |
Mechanism of action
Heparin sodium interacts with the naturally occurring plasma protein, Antithrombin III, to induce conformational change, which markedly enhances the serine protease activity of Antithrombin III, thereby inhibiting the activated coagulation factors involved in the clotting sequence, particularly Xa and IIa. Small amounts of heparin sodium inhibit Factor Xa, and larger amounts inhibit thrombin (Factor IIa). Heparin sodium also prevents the formation of stable fibrin clot by inhibiting the activation of the fibrin stabilizing factor. Heparin sodium does not have fibrinolytic activity; therefore, it will not lyse existing clots.
Approved indications
- Deep Vein Thrombosis with Pulmonary Embolism
- Deep venous thrombosis
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Maintain Patency of Indwelling Vascular Catheter
- Non-Q wave myocardial infarction
- Peripheral Arterial Thromboembolism Prevention
- Peripheral arterial embolism
- Prevention of Cardiac Ischemia in Unstable Angina
- Prevention of Ischemic Complications of Non-Q Wave MI
- Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thrombosis Associated with Malignancy
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary Thromboembolism Prevention
- Pulmonary thromboembolism
Common side effects
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Vascular stent thrombosis
- Haemorrhage
- Haematoma
- Labelled drug-drug interaction medication error
- Premature baby
- Cardiogenic shock
- Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
- Shock haemorrhagic
- Premature delivery
- Arthralgia
Drug interactions
- magnesium salicylate
- salicylic acid
- salsalate
- thiosalicylic acid
Key clinical trials
- Effect of Anticoagulant Therapy on Endometrial Receptivity and Pregnancy Outcomes in Infertility
- Ultrasound-facilitated, Catheter-directed, Thrombolysis in Intermediate-high Risk Pulmonary Embolism (PHASE4)
- Epunamin Combined With DECP for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
- Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for Newly Diagnosed, Residual, or Recurrent Atypical Choroid Plexus Papilloma and Choroid Plexus Carcinoma Prior to Second-Look Surgery (PHASE1)
- Impact of Ligament of Marshall Resection on Atrial Fibrillation Occurrence in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized Controlled Trial (NA)
- Zeus (510K) - 24024 - Stability in Venous and Arterial Blood
- Bladder Directed vs. Pelvic Floor Therapy in IC/BPS (PHASE2)
- Heparin for RAO Post-Transradial Angiography in AIS (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |