Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Heparin, also known as unfractionated heparin (UFH), is a medication and naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan. [3] [4] Heparin is a blood anticoagulant that increases the activity of antithrombin. [5] It is used in the treatment of heart attacks and unstable angina. [3] It can be given intravenously or by injection under the skin. [3]
Common side effects include bleeding, fever, and swelling of the legs. [11] Bleeding may be serious especially in those who are undergoing a spinal tap. [11] Use during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby. [11] Enoxaparin is in the low molecular weight heparin family of medications. [11]
Apart from using unfractionated heparin instead, it may be possible to reduce the dose and/or monitor the anti-Xa activity to guide treatment. [3] The most common side effects include bleeding, which could be severe or even fatal, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, and increases in liver enzyme tests, usually without symptoms. [13]
The evidence did not identify any difference between the effects of different blood thinners on death, developing a clot, or bleeding. [2] A 2021 review found that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was superior to unfractionated heparin in the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism for people with cancer. [3]
Heparin may be used for both prevention and the treatment of thrombosis. It exists in two main forms: an "unfractionated" form that can be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) or through an intravenous infusion, and a "low molecular weight" form that is generally given
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is produced through a controlled depolymerization of unfractionated heparin. [83] LMWH exhibits a higher anti-Xa/anti-IIa activity ratio and is useful as it does not require monitoring of the APTT coagulation parameter and has fewer side effects. [83]
For anticoagulant treatment, it is not clear if unfractionated and/or low molecular weight heparin treatment is effective at decreasing mortality and serious adverse events in this population. [19] There is also insufficient evidence to understand the risk of adverse effects associated with these treatment approaches in term or preterm infants ...
The British National Formulary (BNF) is a United Kingdom (UK) pharmaceutical reference book that contains a wide spectrum of information and advice on prescribing and pharmacology, along with specific facts and details about many medicines available on the UK National Health Service (NHS).