What Drug Is Used for an Overdose of Heparin?
The drug heparin is a preventive measure used for dangerous clots that can form in the blood. This anticoagulant, or blood thinner, does not affect clots that have already formed but helps prevent more from developing.
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Uses
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Treatments that might lead to blood clots and require heparin include open-heart surgery, dialysis, bypass or blood transfusion.
Risk Factors
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Heparin use can sometimes interfere with other medications. It's important to let your doctor know if you are taking any other drugs. Some additional considerations for heparin use are age of the patient, allergies, pregnancy and other types of bleeding or bleeding disorders such as heavy menstrual flow.
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Symptoms of Overdose
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The primary sign of heparin overdose is bleeding. This might present as a nosebleed, vaginal bleeding and blood in the urine or stools.
Protamine Sulfate
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The drug used to reverse or neutralize a heparin overdose is protamine sulfate, given intravenously with a very slow drip.
Side Effects of Protamine Sulfate
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Some possible side effects for protamine sulfate are hypotension (low blood pressure) and extreme allergic reaction. It's imperative to let your doctor know if you are allergic to fish before allowing this drug to be administered--protamine sulfate is a fish product.
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