heparin
Brand names: Heparin Sodium
Heparin is a medicine that helps prevent and treat blood clots. It is given as an injection into a vein or under the skin.
Drug Shortage Alert
heparin is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC. Status: Available.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$2.17/unit
Generic Available
Yes (21 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Heparin is used to prevent and treat blood clots in your veins and lungs.
Common side effects
Bleeding, Irritation at the injection site, Allergic reactions
Key warnings
Heparin can cause serious bleeding, which can be fatal.
How It Works
Heparin works by stopping certain proteins in your blood from forming clots. It helps to thin your blood and prevent new clots from forming. It does not dissolve existing blood clots, but it can keep them from getting bigger.
How to Take It
Heparin is given as an injection by a healthcare provider. It can be injected into a vein (intravenously) or under the skin (subcutaneously). The dose you receive will depend on your condition and weight. Your doctor will monitor your blood to make sure you are getting the right amount.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using heparin. Preservative-free heparin is recommended during pregnancy if available. It is not known if heparin passes into breast milk, so it is recommended to avoid breastfeeding while using this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since heparin is given by a healthcare provider, you are unlikely to miss a dose. If you are giving yourself injections at home and miss a dose, call your doctor right away.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from heat and light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 6,708 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 12,966 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
12,966
Death-Related Reports
2,519
Hospitalization Reports
5,169
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA | 1,207 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 924 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 708 |
| 4 | OFF LABEL USE | 697 |
| 5 | DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY | 603 |
| 6 | VOMITING | 572 |
| 7 | HYPOTENSION | 547 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 519 |
| 9 | PYREXIA | 465 |
| 10 | THROMBOCYTOPENIA | 458 |
| 11 | PULMONARY EMBOLISM | 457 |
| 12 | SEPSIS | 452 |
| 13 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 449 |
| 14 | ANAEMIA | 440 |
| 15 | THROMBOSIS | 406 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Heparin can cause serious bleeding, which can be fatal. It can also cause a severe reaction called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), where your body attacks your own platelets. Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had HIT. Using the wrong strength of heparin can also cause fatal bleeding.
Known Drug Interactions
7.2 Platelet Inhibitors Drugs such as NSAIDS (including salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and celecoxib), dextran, phenylbutazone, thienopyridines, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), and others that interfere with platelet-aggregation reactions (the main hemostatic defense of heparinized patients) may induce bleeding and should be used with caution in patients receiving heparin sodium.
Mechanism: Heparin thins the blood, and ibuprofen stops blood cells called platelets from sticking together. Using them together significantly increases your risk of dangerous bleeding.
What to do: Use this combination with extreme caution. Watch for signs of unusual bruising or bleeding and tell your doctor immediately if they occur.
7.2 Platelet Inhibitors Drugs such as NSAIDS (including salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and celecoxib), dextran, phenylbutazone, thienopyridines, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), and others that interfere with platelet-aggregation reactions (the main hemostatic defense of heparinized patients) may induce bleeding and should be used with caution in patients receiving heparin sodium.
Mechanism: Both drugs affect how your blood clots, with one thinning the blood and the other stopping platelets from clumping. This combination makes it much easier for you to bleed or bruise.
What to do: Use these medicines together only with caution. Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for any signs of bleeding.
7.2 Platelet Inhibitors Drugs such as NSAIDS (including salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and celecoxib), dextran, phenylbutazone, thienopyridines, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), and others that interfere with platelet-aggregation reactions (the main hemostatic defense of heparinized patients) may induce bleeding and should be used with caution in patients receiving heparin sodium.
Mechanism: Hydroxychloroquine can interfere with how blood cells stick together to stop bleeding. When taken with a blood thinner like heparin, it increases the chance of serious bleeding.
What to do: Use this combination with caution. Be sure to report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your doctor right away.
7.2 Platelet Inhibitors Drugs such as NSAIDS (including salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and celecoxib), dextran, phenylbutazone, thienopyridines, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), and others that interfere with platelet-aggregation reactions (the main hemostatic defense of heparinized patients) may induce bleeding and should be used with caution in patients receiving heparin sodium.
Mechanism: Both drugs make it harder for your blood to clot, which increases the risk of bleeding. Indomethacin stops platelets from sticking together, while heparin thins the blood.
What to do: Use this combination with caution. Your doctor should watch closely for any signs of bleeding.
7.2 Platelet Inhibitors Drugs such as NSAIDS (including salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and celecoxib), dextran, phenylbutazone, thienopyridines, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), and others that interfere with platelet-aggregation reactions (the main hemostatic defense of heparinized patients) may induce bleeding and should be used with caution in patients receiving heparin sodium.
Mechanism: These drugs both interfere with how your blood clots, making it more likely that you will bleed. Dipyridamole stops blood cells from clumping together while heparin works as a blood thinner.
What to do: Use these medications together with caution. Your healthcare provider should monitor you for bleeding risks.
Common Questions
What should I do if I experience bleeding while taking heparin?
Can I take other medications with heparin?
How often will my blood be tested while taking heparin?
What is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?
Can heparin be used to prevent blood clots during pregnancy?
What should I avoid while taking heparin?
How long will I need to take heparin?
What are the symptoms of a blood clot?
Is there a reversal agent for heparin?
What if I have a known allergy to pork products?
What are the common side effects of heparin?
Does heparin interact with other medications?
What drug class is heparin?
Is heparin safe during pregnancy?
Has heparin been recalled?
Is heparin currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
Microbial Contamination of Sterile Products; out of limit results obtained for endotoxin testing.
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
Related Medications in Unfractionated Heparin
Other drugs grouped near heparin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
apixaban
Eliquis
Apixaban (Eliquis) is a medicine that helps prevent blood clots.
Compare with heparin →
aspirin
Bayer, Ecotrin
Aspirin is a common medicine used to relieve minor pain.
Compare with heparin →
cilostazol
Pletal
Cilostazol is a medicine that helps improve walking distance in people with leg pain due to poor circulation.
Compare with heparin →
clopidogrel
Plavix
Clopidogrel is a drug that helps to prevent blood clots.
Compare with heparin →
dabigatran
Pradaxa
Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a drug that helps to prevent blood clots from forming.
Compare with heparin →
Medication Guides
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Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
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Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for heparin
The FDA label for heparin (sold under brand names such as Heparin Sodium) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Unfractionated Heparin class. Heparin is used to prevent and treat blood clots in your veins and lungs. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Bleeding, Irritation at the injection site, Allergic reactions.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 6,708 voluntary reports. The database also lists 20 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $2.17.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: September 26, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages