heparin calcium at a glance
Medicine class
Unfractionated heparin anticoagulant.
Main role
Prevention and treatment of specified blood clots, and anticoagulation during dialysis or extracorporeal circulation.
Administration
Given under the skin or into a vein; it must not be injected into muscle.
Important risk
Bleeding is the principal safety concern; platelet-related clotting can also occur.
What is heparin calcium used for?
The product is licensed for:
Preventing or treating deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Treating unstable angina and acute peripheral arterial occlusion.
Preventing mural thrombosis after myocardial infarction.
Anticoagulation during extracorporeal circulation and haemodialysis.
How does heparin calcium work?
It strengthens the action of the body’s natural anticoagulant systems. It inhibits thrombin and enhances inhibition of activated factor Xa, reducing fibrin formation and limiting further clot development.
How to take heparin calcium
This product is normally prepared and administered by a healthcare professional as an injection under the skin, injection into a vein or intravenous infusion. It must not be injected into muscle. Tell the treating team about planned operations, dental work, lumbar puncture, or spinal or epidural anaesthesia.
Do not mix it with another injectable medicine unless compatibility has been confirmed.
Opened ampoules should be used immediately and any remainder discarded.
Do not stop or alter treatment without instructions from the treating team.
heparin calcium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Red lumps or red, itchy, eczema-like patches at injection sites.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe, persistent or unexplained bleeding.
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which can cause a low platelet count and new blood clots during or after treatment.
- Severe allergic reaction, including wheezing, rapid breathing, swelling or shock.
- Skin necrosis at an injection site.
- Raised potassium, particularly with diabetes, kidney impairment or other potassium-raising medicines.
- Spinal or epidural haematoma, with back pain, weakness, numbness or bladder or bowel dysfunction.
- Bone weakening with prolonged exposure.
heparin calcium in pregnancy
Heparin does not cross the placenta and may be used when the expected benefit justifies the risks. Bleeding around delivery and reduced bone density with prolonged treatment require consideration. Labour, delivery and spinal or epidural anaesthesia must be planned with the maternity and anticoagulation teams.
heparin calcium while breastfeeding
Unfractionated heparin can be used during breastfeeding. Only negligible transfer into milk is expected, and any heparin present would not be expected to be absorbed by the infant. Specialist advice is appropriate for premature or unwell infants.
heparin calcium interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before use because several combinations increase bleeding or potassium disturbances.
Aspirin and other NSAIDs
They can increase bleeding. Ketorolac and intravenous diclofenac should not be used with this product.
Other anticoagulants, antiplatelets and thrombolytics
These can add substantially to bleeding risk.
ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers and aliskiren
Concurrent use may increase the risk of raised blood potassium.
Common questions about heparin calcium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is heparin calcium unfractionated heparin?
Yes. It is a calcium salt formulation of unfractionated heparin.
Does it dissolve an existing blood clot?
It does not directly dissolve a clot. It limits further clot formation while the body clears it.
Can it be taken by mouth?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.