Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Heparin sodium may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
The name of this medicine is Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection (referred to as 'Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL' in this leaflet). Heparin sodium belongs to a group of medicines called anticoagulants. Heparin prevents blood clotting. This medicine is used to treat and prevent: • Blood clots in leg veins (deep venous thrombosis) • Blood clots in the lung (pulmonary thromboembolism) as well as for: • The treatment of chest pains resulting from disease of the heart arteries (unstable angina pectoris) • The treatment of severe blockages affecting arteries in the legs (acute peripheral arterial occlusion) • The prevention of blood clots following a heart attack (mural thrombosis). It is also used during heart and lung operations and during kidney dialysis. 2.
Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection
You should not be given Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection if you: are allergic to heparin or any other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6), are pregnant, bleed or bruise easily, have had severe skin problems resulting from previous heparin treatment, are about to have surgery of the brain, spine or eye, a lumbar puncture or local anaesthetic nerve block or some other procedure where bleeding could be a problem.
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Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection must not be given to premature or newborn babies or children up to 3 years of age. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or nurse before receiving Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection. Particularly careful medical supervision is required if you: • • • • • •
are over 60 years of age, have any condition which makes you likely to bleed more easily. If you are unsure ask your doctor or nurse, are diabetic, have high levels of potassium in the blood or if you take drugs that may increase the potassium level in your blood, have kidney or liver disease. Your doctor may decide that a lower dose is necessary, suffer from allergies or have previously had an allergic reaction to heparin.
Your doctor will check your blood if you receive treatment for longer than five days and may do other blood tests if you have major surgery. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you have a liver or kidney disease. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build-up in your body and may cause side effects (called "metabolic acidosis"). Children Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL must not be given to premature or newborn babies or children under 3 years of age. Other medicines and Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines may affect the way heparin injection works. Taking some medicines at the same time as heparin may mean you may be likely to bleed more. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: • Aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g diclofenac or ibuprofen), • Medicines which may interfere with the proper clotting of the blood (e.g. dipyridamole, epoprostenol, clopidogrel or streptokinase), • Medicines that may increase the potassium level in your blood, • Glyceryl trinitrate (for heart disease). If you need one of the above medicines your doctor may decide to alter the dose of heparin injection or the other medication. If you have any doubts about whether this medicine should be administered then discuss things more fully with your doctor or nurse before Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL is given. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or nurse for advice before receiving this medicine. This is because large amounts of benzyl alcohol can build-up in your body and may cause side effects (called "metabolic acidosis"). You should not be given Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL if you are pregnant.
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Driving and using machines Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection has not been reported to affect the ability to drive or operate machines. Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL contains benzyl alcohol This medicine contains 10 mg/mL of benzyl alcohol in each mL. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions. Benzyl alcohol has been linked with the risk of severe side effects including breathing problems (called "gasping syndrome") in young children. Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per vial, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
3.
Your doctor or nurse will inject your dose of heparin into a vein either all at once or over a longer period of time (usually via a drip). Alternatively they may inject your heparin underneath your skin. The amount injected all at once into a vein should not be greater than 15 mL. You may need to have blood tests if you are receiving higher doses of heparin to check on the effects of your heparin treatment. Heparin injection must not be given to premature or newborn babies. You may require a lower dose if you have kidney or liver disease. To prevent blood clots in leg veins (deep vein thrombosis) and blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism) Adults The usual dose of heparin injection in adults is 5,000 units injected under the skin 2 hours before your operation, followed by: • 5,000 units injected under the skin every 8-12 hours, for 7-10 days or until you are fully able to move about. Elderly Lower doses may be used in the elderly. You may need to have blood tests if you are elderly, to check on the effects of your heparin treatment. Children No specific doses are recommended. To treat blood clots in leg veins (deep vein thrombosis) and blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism) Adults The usual dose in adults is 5,000 units injected into a vein. This is followed by: • 1,000-2,000 units/hour injected slowly into a vein or • 5,000-10,000 units 4-hourly injected all at once into a vein.
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Elderly Lower doses may be used in the elderly. Small adults and children Small adults and children will be given 50 units/kg bodyweight injected into a vein followed by: • 15-25 units/kg bodyweight/hour injected slowly into a vein or • 100 units/kg bodyweight 4-hourly injected all at once into a vein. To treat chest pains (unstable angina pectoris) and severe blood clots in the arteries (acute peripheral arterial occlusion) Adults The usual dose in adults is 5,000 units injected into a vein. This is followed by: • 1,000-2,000 units/hour injected slowly into a vein or • 5,000-10,000 units 4-hourly injected all at once into a vein. Elderly Lower doses maybe used in the elderly. Small adults and children Small adults and children will be given 50 units/kg body weight injected into a vein followed by: • 15-25 units/kg bodyweight/hour injected slowly into a vein or • 100 units/kg bodyweight 4-hourly injected all at once into a vein. You will have blood tests every day to check the effects of your heparin. To prevent a blood clot in the heart following a heart attack Adults The usual dose for adults is 12,500 units 12-hourly injected under the skin for at least 10 days. Elderly A lower dose may be needed. During heart and lung surgery Adults Initially you will be given 300 units/kg body weight. This will be changed according to the results of your blood tests. During kidney dialysis Adults Initially you will be given 1,000-5,000 units. This will be changed according to the results of your blood tests.
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If you think you have been given too much Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL Your doctor will decide which dose is best for you. Too much heparin can cause bleeding. Slight bleeding can be stopped by stopping your heparin treatment. However, if you have more severe bleeding you may need blood tests and an injection of a medicine called protamine sulphate. If you think too much medicine has been given to you, contact your doctor or nurse. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or nurse. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Important side effects to look out for (frequency not stated): Severe allergic reactions Heparin can cause a rare severe allergic reaction with wheezing, difficulty breathing, a blue tinge to the lips, fever, chills, swelling of the eyes and lips and shock. If you think you are having a severe allergic reaction you must stop receiving heparin and tell your doctor or nurse immediately. Bleeding and bruising Signs that you are bleeding more easily include: • unusual bruising or purple spots on your skin, • unusual bleeding from your gums, • unusual nose bleeds, • blood in your urine (which may cause this to go dark), • black, tarry-looking stools, • bleeding that will not stop from any operation site or other injury. If you are concerned about unusual bleeding you must tell your doctor or nurse immediately as you may need to stop your heparin treatment. Other side effects (frequency not stated) include: • red lumps or red, itchy patches like eczema often develop 3-21 days after the start of heparin treatment, where injections have been given under the skin, • irregularly shaped, red skin lesions with blisters, • sloughing of skin may occur around the injection site, • persistent erection of the penis, • abnormal results for blood tests that report on how the liver is working, • high level of blood fats after stopping heparin, • high or low potassium levels. If affected you may feel tired and weak. If heparin injection is given over many months, then the following may occur: • hair loss, • thinning of the bones (osteoporosis).
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Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Your doctor or nurse will usually be responsible for storing and preparing injection before use and for checking that the vials have not passed their expiry date stated on the carton and the label. This medicine must not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Heparin injection should not be given if it shows signs of deterioration such as discolouration. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. After opening the vial, immediately administer the product. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. 6.
What Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection contains The active substance is heparin sodium. Each vial with 5 mL solution for injection contains 5,000 units of heparin sodium. The other ingredients are sodium chloride, benzyl alcohol (10 mg/mL), sodium hydroxide and water for injections. What Heparin Sodium ROVI 1,000 IU/mL solution for injection looks like and contents of the pack This product comes as a colourless, clear solution with no visible particles. This product is available in packs of 10 vials of 5 mL solution for injection. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer: Marketing Authorization Holder Laboratorios Farmacéuticos ROVI, S.A. Julián Camarillo, 35, 28037 – Madrid. Spain Manufacturer ROVI PHARMA INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, S.A. Julián Camarillo, 35 28037-Madrid. Spain
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UK distributor (Great Britain) ROVI Biotech Limited One Elmfield Park, Office No. 2.06 Bromley BR1 1LU. United Kingdom This leaflet was last revised in November 2025.
————————————————————————————————————————-The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only: How to prepare and administer By continuous intravenous infusion or by intermittent intravenous injection, or by subcutaneous injection. The intravenous injection volume of heparin injection should not exceed 15 mL. As the effects of heparin are short-lived, administration by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection is preferable to intermittent intravenous injections. Recommended dose Heparin sodium may be administered intravenously (in continuous infusion or bolus administration) or subcutaneously. Do not administer by the intramuscular route, due to the risk of developing local haematoma. The heparin dose should be individualised and adjusted to clotting times. The recommended dose varies according to the different indications, as follows: Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism Adults: 2 hours pre-operatively: 5,000 units subcutaneously followed by: 5,000 units subcutaneously every 8-12 hours, for 7-10 days or until the patient is fully ambulant No laboratory monitoring should be necessary during low dose heparin prophylaxis. If monitoring is considered desirable, anti-Xa assays should be used as the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is not significantly prolonged. Elderly: Dosage reduction and monitoring of APTT may be advisable. Paediatric population: No dosage recommendations. Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism Adults: Loading dose: 5,000 units intravenously (10,000 units may be required in severe pulmonary embolism) Maintenance: 1,000-2,000 units/hour by intravenous infusion, or 5,000-10,000 units 4-hourly by intravenous injection Elderly: 7
Dosage reduction may be advisable. Children and small adults: Loading dose: Maintenance:
50 units/kg intravenously 15-25 units/kg/hour by intravenous infusion, or 100 units/kg 4-hourly by intravenous injection
Treatment of unstable angina pectoris and acute peripheral arterial occlusion Adults: Loading dose: 5,000 units intravenously Maintenance: 1,000-2,000 units/hour by intravenous infusion, or 5,000-10,000 units 4-hourly by intravenous injection Elderly: Dosage reduction may be advisable. Children and small adults: Loading dose: Maintenance:
50 units/kg intravenously 15-25 units/kg/hour by intravenous infusion, or 100 units/kg 4-hourly by intravenous injection Daily laboratory monitoring (ideally at the same time each day, starting 4-6 hours after initiation of treatment) is essential during full-dose heparin treatment, with adjustment of dosage to maintain an APTT value 1.5-2.5 x midpoint of normal range or control value. Prophylaxis of mural thrombosis following myocardial infarction Adults: 12,500 units 12-hourly subcutaneously for at least 10 days. Elderly: Dosage reduction may be advisable. Prevention of thrombosis in extracorporeal circulation circuit during heart surgery and haemodialysis Heart surgery: It is recommended to heparinise the patient with 300 units/kg, adjusted thereafter to maintain the activated clotting time (ACT) in the range 400-500 seconds. Haemodialysis and haemofiltration: Initially: Maintenance:
1,000-5,000 units 1,000-2,000 units/hour, adjusted to maintain clotting time > 40 minutes
Heparin resistance Patients with altered heparin responsiveness or heparin resistance may require disproportionately higher doses of heparin to achieve the desired effect. Renal and hepatic impairment: A lower dose may be necessary. It is recommended to adjust the dose in accordance with the weight and the required APTT levels.
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The active substance in Heparin Sodium Vials 5 000 IU in 5 ml (1 000 IU/ml) is heparin sodium.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Heparin Sodium Vials 5 000 IU in 5 ml (1 000 IU/ml), as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism,
- Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, unstable angina pectoris and acute peripheral arterial occlusion,
- Prophylaxis of mural thrombosis following myocardial infarction,
- Use in extracorporeal circulation and haemodialysis.
Method of administration
By continuous intravenous infusion or by intermittent intravenous injection or by subcutaneous injection. The intravenous injection volume of heparin injection should not exceed 15 mL. As the effects of heparin are short-lived, administration by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection is preferable to intermittent intravenous injections.
Posology
Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Adults:
2 hours pre-operatively:
5,000 units subcutaneously
followed by:
5,000 units subcutaneously every 8-12 hours, for 7-10 days or until the patient is fully ambulant
No laboratory monitoring should be necessary during low dose heparin prophylaxis. If monitoring is considered desirable, anti-Xa assays should be used as the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is not significantly prolonged.
Elderly:
Dosage reduction and monitoring of APTT may be advisable.
Paediatric population:
No dosage recommendations.
Treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Adults:
Loading dose:
5,000 units intravenously (10,000 units may be required in severe pulmonary embolism)
Maintenance:
1,000-2,000 units/hour by intravenous infusion or 5,000-10,000 units 4-hourly by intravenous injection
Elderly:
Dosage reduction may be advisable.
Children and small adults:
Loading dose:
50 units/kg intravenously
Maintenance:
15-25 units/kg/hour by intravenous infusion or 100 units/kg 4-hourly by intravenous injection
Treatment of unstable angina pectoris and acute peripheral arterial occlusion
Adults:
Loading dose:
5,000 units intravenously
Maintenance:
1,000-2,000 units/hour by intravenous infusion, or 5,000-10,000 units 4-hourly by intravenous injection
Elderly:
Dosage reduction may be advisable.
Children and small adults:
Loading dose:
50 units/kg intravenously
Maintenance:
15-25 units/kg/hour by intravenous infusion, or 100 units/kg 4-hourly by intravenous injection
Daily laboratory monitoring (ideally at the same time each day, starting 4-6 hours after initiation of treatment) is essential during full-dose heparin treatment, with adjustment of dosage to maintain an APTT value 1.5-2.5 x midpoint of normal range or control value.
Prophylaxis of mural thrombosis following myocardial infarction
Adults:
12,500 units 12-hourly subcutaneously for at least 10 days.
Elderly:
Dosage reduction may be advisable.
In extracorporeal circulation and haemodialysis:
Adults:
Cardiopulmonary bypass:
Initially 300 units/kg intravenously, adjusted thereafter to maintain the activated clotting time (ACT) in the range 400-500 seconds.
Haemodialysis and haemofiltration:
Initially:
1,000-5,000 units
Maintenance:
1,000-2,000 units/hour, adjusted to maintain clotting time >40 minutes
Heparin resistance
Patients with altered heparin responsiveness or heparin resistance may require disproportionately higher doses of heparin to achieve the desired effect. Also refer to section 4.4, Special warnings and precautions for use.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance (s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
This heparin formulation contains the preservative benzyl alcohol and so must not be given to children under 3 years old, premature babies or neonates. As benzyl alcohol may cross the placenta the use of this formulation must be avoided in pregnancy.
Current (or history of) immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
An epidural anaesthesia during birth in pregnant women treated with heparin is contraindicated.
Regional anaesthesia in elective surgical procedures is contra-indicated because the use of heparin may be very rarely associated with epidural or spinal haematoma resulting in prolonged or permanent paralysis.
Generalised or local haemorrhagic tendency.
Heparin should be used with caution in patients with hypersensitivity to low molecular weight heparin.
Care should be taken when heparin is administered to patients with increased risk of bleeding complications, hypertension, renal or hepatic insufficiency.
Heparin can suppress adrenal secretion of aldosterone leading to hyperkalaemia, particularly in patients such as those with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, pre-existing metabolic acidosis, a raised plasma potassium or taking potassium sparing drugs. The risk of hyperkalaemia appears to increase with duration of therapy but is usually reversible. Plasma potassium should be measured in patients at risk before starting heparin therapy and monitored regularly thereafter particularly if treatment is prolonged beyond about 7 days.
Drugs affecting platelet function or the coagulation system should in general not be given concomitantly with heparin (see Section 4.5).
In patients undergoing peri-dural or spinal anaesthesia or spinal puncture, the prophylactic use of heparin may be very rarely associated with epidural or spinal haematoma resulting in prolonged or permanent paralysis. The risk is increased by the use of a peri-dural or spinal catheter for anaesthesia, by the concomitant use of drugs affecting haemostasis such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, platelet inhibitors or anticoagulants and by traumatic or repeated puncture. In decision making on the interval between the last administration of heparin at prophylactic doses and the placement or removal of a peri-dural or spinal catheter, the product characteristics and the patient profile should be taken into account. Subsequent dose should not take place before at least four hours have elapsed. Re-administration should be delayed until the surgical procedure is completed.
Should a physician decide to administer anti-coagulation in the context of peri-dural or spinal anaesthesia, extreme vigilance and frequent monitoring must be exercised to detect any signs and symptoms of neurologic impairment, such as back pain, sensory and motor deficits and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Patients should be instructed to inform immediately a nurse or a clinician if they experience any of these.
Heparin should not be administered by intramuscular injection due to the risk of haematoma.
Due to increased bleeding risk, care should be taken when giving concomitant intramuscular injections, lumbar puncture and similar procedures.
As there is a risk of antibody-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, platelet counts should be measured in patients receiving heparin treatment for longer than 5 days and the treatment should be stopped immediately in those who develop thrombocytopenia.
Heparin induced thrombocytopenia and heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis can occur up to several weeks after discontinuation of heparin therapy. Patients presenting with thrombocytopenia or thrombosis after discontinuation of heparin should be evaluated for heparin induced thrombocytopenia and heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per vial, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Heparin sodium ROVI contains benzyl alcohol (10mg/ml) as preservative. Intravenous administration of benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death in neonates (“gasping syndrome”). The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known. High volumes should be used with caution and only if necessary, especially in subjects with liver or kidney impairment because of the risk of accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis).
Heparin may prolong the one stage prothrombin time. Accordingly, when Heparin is given with dicoumarol or warfarin sodium, a period of at least 5 hours after the last intravenous dose of heparin should elapse before blood is drawn, if a valid prothrombin time is to be obtained.
The anticoagulant effect of heparin may be enhanced by concomitant medication with other drugs affecting platelet function or the coagulation system, e.g. platelet aggregation inhibitors, thrombolytic agents, salicylates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin K antagonists, dextrans, activated protein C. Where such combination cannot be avoided, careful clinical and biological monitoring is required.
Combined use with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II antagonists may increase the risk of hyperkalaemia.
Nitrates: Reduced activity of heparin has been reported with simultaneous intravenous glyceryl trinitrate infusion.
As benzyl alcohol may cross the placenta, the use of this formulation should be avoided during pregnancy.
The use of heparin in women with abortus imminens is contraindicated (see Section 4.3).
Heparin does not cross the placental barrier and is not excreted in breast milk.
Heparin Sodium ROVI has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
The following adverse reactions have been observed and reported during treatment with Heparin sodium with the following frequencies: Very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10000 to < 1/1000); very rare (<1/10 000), not known (cannot be estimated from available data).
System Organ Class
MedDRA Preferred Term
Frequency
Vascular disorders
Haemorrhage
Epistaxis
Contusion
Not known
Not known
Not known
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Thrombocytopenia
Not known
Renal and urinary disorders
Haematuria
Not known
Endocrine disorders
Adrenal insufficiency
Hypoaldosteronism
Not known
Not known
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Alopecia
Skin necrosis
Bullous haemorrhagic dermatosis
Not known
Not known
Not known
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Osteoporosis
Not known
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
Not known
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Rebound hyperlipidaemia
Hyperkalaemia
Hypokalaemia
Not known
Not known
Not known
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Priapism
Not known
General disorders and administration site conditions
Injection site reaction
Not known
Investigations
Alanine aminotransferase increased;
Asparate aminotransferase increased
Not known
Not known
Erythematous nodules, or infiltrated and sometimes eczema-like plaques, at the site of subcutaneous injections are common, occurring 3-21 days after starting heparin treatment.
Haemorrhage:
Haemorrhage is the chief complication that may result from heparin therapy. An overly prolonged clotting time or minor bleeding during therapy can usually be controlled by withdrawing the drug. It should be appreciated that gastrointestinal or urinary tract bleeding during anticoagulant therapy may indicate the presence of an underlying occult lesion. Bleeding can occur at any site but certain specific haemorrhage complications may be difficult to detect.
Adrenal haemorrhage, with resultant acute adrenal insufficiency, has occurred during anticoagulant therapy. Therefore, such treatment should be discontinued in patients who develop signs and symptoms of acute adrenal haemorrhage and insufficiency. Initiation of corrective therapy should not depend on laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, since any delay in an acute situation may result in the patient's death.
Cases of haemorrhagic bullous dermatosis associated with heparin use have been described in the medical literature; therefore, the frequency cannot be established. The reaction is characterized by the appearance of tense, haemorrhagic blisters distant from the heparin injection site, with a favourable clinical course after dose reduction, discontinuation, or even maintenance.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Bleeding is the main sign of overdose with heparin.
As heparin is eliminated quickly, a discontinuation of treatment is sufficient in case of minor haemorrhages. In case of severe haemorrhages heparin may be neutralised with protamine sulphate injected slowly intravenously. One mg of protamine sulphate neutralises approximately 100 units of heparin. Nevertheless, the required protamine sulphate dose varies according to the time of heparin administration and the dose administered.
It is important to avoid overdosage of protamine sulphate because protamine itself has anticoagulant properties. A single dose of protamine sulphate should never exceed 50 mg. Intravenous injection of protamine may cause a sudden fall in blood pressure, bradycardia, dyspnoea and transitory flushing, but these may be avoided or diminished by slow and careful administration.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Heparin Sodium Vials 5 000 IU in 5 ml (1 000 IU/ml). The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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