What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Dextran 40 and heparin
Dextran 40's FDA label of May 22, 2026 names heparin in its contraindications section; the heparin labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name dextran 40. The dextran 40 label: “… with marked hemostatic defects of all types including those caused by drugs (heparin, warfarin, etc.), marked cardiac decompensation and in renal disease with severe oliguria or anuria.”
Check it at the source: the dextran 40 FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 22, 2026); the heparin FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 28, 2025, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC).
What does the dextran 40 label say about heparin?
Dextran 40 label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS LMD (dextran 40) is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to dextran, in those with marked hemostatic defects of all types (thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, etc.) including those caused by drugs (heparin, warfarin, etc.), marked cardiac decompensation and in renal disease with severe oliguria or anuria.
Source: FDA drug label (LMD in Dextrose), Hospira, Inc., effective May 22, 2026 (SPL set 3c273512-84e2-2cea-b201-12345a6bd1fe), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the heparin label say about dextran 40?
Heparin's label (effective November 28, 2025) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name dextran 40 in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (Heparin Sodium), Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, effective November 28, 2025 (SPL set d55b4a63-0c04-4874-b74f-9e9b9e8b008c), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Dextran 40 | Heparin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Blood clots (DVT and PE) | Blood clots (DVT and PE), Atrial fibrillation |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $1.18 per mL 5,000 unit/mL vial |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once