Heparin Leo

Heparin is given by injection. It can be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) or given into a vein by a procedure called intravenous infusion. The recommended dose and route of administration of heparin varies according to the individual and the condition being treated. Your doctor will choose the dose that is most likely to prevent blood clots but not cause you to bleed easily.

Doses of heparin vary on an individual basis. People taking heparin will need to be monitored by taking blood tests scheduled by their health care provider in order to make sure that they receive the proper amount of medication.

Many things can affect the dose or schedule of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If the schedule or dose of your medication is different from the ones listed above, do not change the way that you use the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Heparin Leo exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss an injection, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next injection, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Heparin Leo at room temperature, protect it from heat, and keep it out of the reach of children. If you are using the multiple dose vial, discard any remaining medication in the vial 28 days after the first use.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause bruising at the injection site; it may reduce your blood clotting ability - use extra caution to avoid injury. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Heparin Leo is available as 100 unit/mL and 1000 unit/mL solutions for injection.

Do not use this medication if you:

• are allergic to heparin or pork products or any ingredients of Heparin Leo
• are at risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (decreased number of platelets often associated with increased bleeding)
• are suffering from shock
• currently have active or uncontrollable bleeding (e.g. acute ulcer or ulcerating carcinoma)
• have a blood clotting disorder such as Hemophilia, Christmas disease, or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
• have any conditions associated with increased risk of bleeding
• have had recent surgery or trauma of the spine, nervous system, eye, or ear
• have severe liver damage

There may be an interaction between heparin and any of the following:

• 5-ASA medications (e.g., Mesalamine, olsalzine, Sulfasalazine)
• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• Aliskiren
• angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., candasartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• Apixaban
• Canagliflozin
• Clopidogrel
• dabigatran
• Dasatinib
• Deferasirox
• Edoxaban
• Eplerenone
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• herbal products that affect blood clotting (e.g., cat's claw, chamomile, fenugreek, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginseng, turmeric)
• Nitroglycerin
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Obinutuzumab
• omega-3 fatty acids
• Pentoxifylline
• potassium supplements
• Prasugrel
• progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• Rivaroxaban
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• tipranavir
• vitamin E
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Heparin Leo. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Heparin Leo.

Blood clotting: Heparin Leo is intended to prevent unwanted blood clots, but it can make you bleed more easily. You should be careful when performing activities that increase your risk of bleeding. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly as usual. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.

Kidney problems: If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how Heparin Leo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Heparin Leo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver problems: If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Heparin Leo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Heparin Leo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Medical conditions: Heparin increases the risk of bleeding complications for many people with ongoing medical conditions. If you have subacute bacterial Endocarditis, blood or blood vessel disorders, severe high blood pressure, indwelling catheters, inaccessible gastrointestinal ulcers, Ulcerative Colitis, continuous tube drainage of stomach or small intestine, or menstruation, discuss with your doctor how Heparin Leo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Heparin Leo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Osteoporosis: People who receive long-term, daily doses of heparin should be monitored by their doctor for possible development of osteoporosis (brittle bones) or fractures.

Pregnancy: Although heparin is the anticoagulant (blood-thinner) of choice during pregnancy, caution needs to be exercised due to risk of bleeding, especially during the third trimester and immediately after the birth. If you become pregnant while taking Heparin Leo, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Heparin does not pass into breast milk; however, the preservative in some of the multi-dose vials, benzyl alcohol, does pass into breast milk. Benzyl alcohol can cause complications for newborn, premature, or low-birth-weight infants. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking heparin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Seniors: Seniors may be at an increased risk of bleeding while using heparin. Your doctor will adjust your dose accordingly.

This product must be injected under the skin (subcutaneously). Do not shake the container before use. To use: If in an ampoule, break off the tip. if in a vial, clean the top with alcohol. Measure the prescribed dose carefully with a syringe. Clean the skin at the injection site with an alcohol swab. Pinch the skin and inject the medication into the fold. Wait at least one week before injecting the same site again. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption during treatment.