Heparin
Depot-Heparin Gilvasan, Heparin Gilvasan, Lioton, Venoruton Heparin – Emulgel · ATC code B01AB01
Also known as: Eparina, Héparine, Heparina · Brand names: Axicur, Hepa-Gel Lichtenstein, Hepa Lichtenstein, Heparin Abz, Heparin Al, Heparin Axicur, Heparin Heumann, Heparin-Natrium Braun, Heparin-Natrium Leo, Heparin-Natrium Multi Braun, Heparin-Natrium Ratiopharm, Heparin Panpharma, Heparin Ratiopharm, Hepathromb, Hepathrombin …
- Key facts
- Active substance
- Heparin
- Drug class
- Antithrombotic
- ATC code
- B01AB01
- Authorisation
- authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
- Information as of
- 2026-11-03
Key facts
Heparin (unfractionated heparin sodium) is a parenteral anticoagulant given intravenously or by deep subcutaneous injection. Per the US label it is used to prevent and treat venous and arterial thromboembolism and to prevent clotting in surgery, transfusion, extracorporeal circulation and dialysis.
What it is used for
- Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, including postoperative prevention in major abdominothoracic surgery or other at-risk patients
- Atrial fibrillation with embolisation; prophylaxis and treatment of peripheral arterial embolism
- Acute and chronic consumptive coagulopathies (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
- Prevention of clotting in arterial and cardiac surgery; anticoagulation in blood transfusions, extracorporeal circulation and dialysis
Dosing
- Adjust to coagulation tests: adequate when aPTT is 1.5 to 2 times normal; with continuous infusion check aPTT about every 4 hours initially
- Continuous IV infusion (adults; the label's dosing table assumes a 68 kg patient): 5,000 units IV bolus, then 20,000 to 40,000 units/24 hours
- Intermittent IV: 10,000 units initially, then 5,000 to 10,000 units every 4 to 6 hours; deep subcutaneous: 5,000 units IV, then 10,000 to 20,000 units SC, then 8,000 to 10,000 units every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units every 12 hours
- Low-dose postoperative prophylaxis: 5,000 units SC 2 hours before surgery, then 5,000 units every 8 to 12 hours for 7 days or until fully ambulatory
- Children: 75 to 100 units/kg IV bolus, then infants 25 to 30 units/kg/hour, children > 1 year 18 to 20 units/kg/hour, target aPTT 60 to 85 seconds; use preservative-free heparin in neonates and infants
- Open-heart surgery: at least 150 units/kg; avoid intramuscular injection
Contraindications
- History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or HIT with thrombosis
- Known hypersensitivity to heparin or pork products
- Full-dose heparin when suitable coagulation tests cannot be performed at appropriate intervals
- Uncontrolled active bleeding, except when due to disseminated intravascular coagulation
Important warnings
- Fatal medication errors: do not confuse 1 mL heparin vials (up to 10,000 units/mL) with “catheter lock flush” vials; fatal haemorrhages occurred in children
- Haemorrhage at any site, including adrenal, ovarian and retroperitoneal; higher incidence in patients, especially women, over 60 years
- HIT/HITT: if platelets fall below 100,000/mm³ or thrombosis recurs, stop heparin and use an alternative anticoagulant; may occur up to several weeks after stopping
- Thrombocytopenia in up to 30%, 2 to 20 days after starting; monitor platelets, haematocrit and occult blood in stool
- Benzyl alcohol-preserved vials can cause fatal “gasping syndrome” in neonates and infants; heparin resistance (fever, thrombosis, cancer, antithrombin III deficiency)
Side effects
- Haemorrhage (chief complication), HIT and HITT including delayed onset
- Local irritation, erythema, haematoma, skin necrosis at injection sites
- Hypersensitivity (chills, fever, urticaria; rarely anaphylactoid shock); raised AST/ALT
- Osteoporosis with long-term high doses, suppression of aldosterone synthesis, transient alopecia, priapism
Interactions
- Warfarin: heparin prolongs the prothrombin time; wait at least 5 hours after the last IV dose or 24 hours after the last SC dose before sampling
- Platelet inhibitors such as NSAIDs (e.g. salicylic acid, ibuprofen), thienopyridines, GP IIb/IIIa antagonists, dextran, dipyridamole: increased bleeding; consider dose reduction
- Antithrombin III (human): enhanced effect; reduce heparin dose
- IV nitroglycerin lowers the PTT with rebound on stopping; digitalis, tetracyclines, nicotine and antihistamines may partly counteract heparin
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Published reports show no increased risk of adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; use preservative-free heparin if available
- Not likely to be excreted in human milk because of its large molecular weight; benzyl alcohol may pass into milk
Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-11-03. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.
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For patients
Patient information (US)
This product has no separate US patient information.
Authorisation and brand names by country
Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.
Germany
- AxicurAxicorp Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Hepa-Gel LichtensteinWinthrop Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Hepa LichtensteinWinthrop Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Heparin AbzAbz-Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Heparin AlAliud Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Heparin AxicurAxicorp Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Heparin HeumannHeumann Pharma Gmbh & Co. Generica Kg · 1 register entry
- Heparin-Natrium BraunB.Braun Melsungen Ag · 1 register entry
- Heparin-Natrium LeoLeo Pharma A/S · 1 register entry
- Heparin-Natrium Multi BraunB.Braun Melsungen Ag · 1 register entry
- Heparin-Natrium RatiopharmRatiopharm Gmbh · 2 register entries
- Heparin PanpharmaPanpharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
Show all 17 brand names
- Heparin RatiopharmRatiopharm Gmbh · 1 register entry
- HepathrombEsteve Pharmaceuticals Gmbh · 1 register entry
- HepathrombinTeofarma S.R.L. · 1 register entry
- SportinoHarras-Pharma-Curarina Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- ThrombophobNordmark Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-11-03
Austria
- Depot-Heparin GilvasanGilvasan Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
- Heparin GilvasanGilvasan Pharma Gmbh · 3 register entries
- LiotonA. Menarini - Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite - S.R.L. · 1 register entry
- Venoruton Heparin – EmulgelStada Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry
- ViatrombCyathus Exquirere Pharmaforschungsgmbh · 1 register entry
Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-11-03
Turkey
- BiemparinBİEM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- FaxiparFARMAKO ECZACILIK A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- HeparinumPHARMADA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- HeparxTÜM-EKİP İLAÇ A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- HexarinCENTURİON İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- KoparinKOÇAK FARMA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- NevparinGENSENTA İLAÇ SANAYİ VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- PoliparinPOLİFARMA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
- SeloparinHAVER FARMA İLAÇ A.Ş. · 2 register entries
- TromparinAROMA İLAÇ SAN. LTD. ŞTİ. · 1 register entry
- VasparinVEM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-11-03
Brand names in 27 more European countries
- Belgium
- Heparine Leo, Heparine Natrium B. Braun
- Bulgaria
- Heparin Glk, Виатромб, Лиотон, Хепарин, Хепаринум Wzf
- Croatia
- Heparin Belupo, Heparin Panpharma, Lioton
- Cyprus
- Heparin Gilvasan, Heparin Sodium Pinewood Laboratories, Lioton
- Czechia
- Heparin Léčiva, Lioton, Viatromb
- Denmark
- Heparin "leo", Heparin Leo, Heparin Panpharma, Heparin Ukonserveret Sad
- Estonia
- Heparin Sodium Auxilia, Lioton
- Finland
- Heparin Leo
- France
- Calciparine, Heparine Calcique Panpharma, Heparine Choay, Heparine Leo, Heparine Sodique Panpharma
- Greece
- Heparin/Leo
- Hungary
- Heparibene Na, Heparin Galenika, Lioton
- Iceland
- Heparin Leo
- Ireland
- Heparin Sodium Pinewood Laboratories
- Italy
- Calciparina, Eparina Vister, Epsoclar, Epsodilave, Heparin Collirio, Normoparin, Pharepa, Sosefluss, Veracer
- Latvia
- Heparīna Nātrijs Panpharma, Lioton
- Lithuania
- Heparin Sodium Panpharma, Lioton
- Luxembourg
- Heparin-Natrium Braun, Heparin Ratiopharm, Heparine Leo, Thrombonor
- Malta
- Heparin Sodium Sala, Heparin Sodium Wockhardt Uk, Hepsal, Lioton, Monoparin, Multiparin
- Netherlands
- Heparine Leo
- Norway
- Heparin Leo Pharma, Heparin Panpharma
- Poland
- Fortiven, Heparin Forte Hasco, Heparin Hasco, Heparinum Wzf, Heparizen, Lioton, Lipohep
- Portugal
- Heparina Leo, Heparina Panpharma, Heparina Sódica B Braun, Heparina Sódica Gineladius
- Romania
- Heparin, Heparina Galenica, Heparina Galenika, Heparină Sodică Panpharma, Heparină Sodică Rovi, Hepathrombin, Lioton, Viatromb
- Slovakia
- Heparin Al, Heparin Léčiva, Lioton, Viatromb
- Slovenia
- Heparin Braun, Lioton
- Spain
- Heparin Sodium Sala, Heparina Sódica Rovi, Heparina Sódica Sala, Menaven
- Sweden
- Heparin Leo
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-11-03
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Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Heparin Sodium (Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2026-04-30. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-11-03. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=2a173253-dfdc-4d9d-8dee-b9c13e6fa9f5
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-11-03. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-11-03. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
- TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-11-03. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
- Wikidata (CC0): ATC B01AB.
Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-11-03 · How these pages are made · Report an error
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.