heparin

Heparin is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan and widely used anticoagulant medication. It is primarily used to prevent and treat blood clots in conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart attacks (myocardial infarction), unstable angina, and during medical procedures like open-heart surgery or dialysis[1][2][3][5]. Heparin works by binding to antithrombin III (ATIII), which accelerates the inactivation of several clotting factors—most notably thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa—thereby inhibiting the formation of fibrin clots[4][5][6]. This mechanism prevents new clots from forming or existing ones from growing but does not dissolve established clots. Heparin is administered intravenously or subcutaneously because it is not absorbed orally[8]. It has a rapid onset but short duration of action.

Brand names

Hep-LockHeparin SodiumMonoject Prefill AdvancedLockFlush

Other names

unfractionated heparin