Heparin sodium 1,000units/500ml infusion bags
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Unfractionated heparin (UH) is a heterogenous preparation of anionic, sulfated glycosaminoglycan polymers with weights ranging from 3000 to 30,000 Da.
Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
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Official medicine documents
Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Heparin
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Interactive Drug Analysis Profiles for all medicines
Report a side effect
Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA
Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) collects suspected adverse reaction reports from across the EU/EEA through the EudraVigilance system. Search for safety data on this medicine.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Heparin
About EudraVigilance
Learn about EU pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring
EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
2 branded products available
Part of the Monoparin brand family (generic: Heparin)
MHRA licensed products
View all licensed products for Heparin on the MHRA register
Heparin sodium 1,000units/500ml infusion Viaflex bags
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and NHS BNF section grouping. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
Clinical guidelines and formulary information
British National Formulary
Heparin
Source: British National Formulary, NICE. Joint Formulary Committee. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
NICE clinical guidance(13)
Intrapartum care for women with existing medical conditions or obstetric complications and their babies (NG121)
PROPATEN heparin-bonded vascular graft for peripheral arterial disease (MIB42)
Acute coronary syndromes (NG185)
Guidance on the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (TA47)
Venous thromboembolism in adults (QS201)
Perioperative care in adults (NG180)
Rivaroxaban for treating pulmonary embolism and preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (TA287)
Edoxaban for treating and for preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (TA354)
Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (NG89)
COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing COVID-19 (NG191)
High-sensitivity troponin tests for the early rule out of NSTEMI (HTG552)
Ultrasound‑enhanced, catheter‑directed thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism (HTG376)
Ultrasound‑enhanced, catheter‑directed thrombolysis for deep vein thrombosis (HTG375)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
Pharmacy stock checkers
Search for this medicine at major UK pharmacy chains. These links open the retailer's own website — results depend on their current online catalogue.
Supply & product information
Official product databases and supply status monitoring
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. emc (electronic medicines compendium) is operated by Datapharm Ltd. Shortage information sourced from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), sps.nhs.uk.
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF codes from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
157 found
Half-life
0.5 to 2 h
Mechanism
Under normal circumstances, antithrombin III (ATIII) inactivates thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa.
Food interactions
2 warnings
Human targets
12 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
60 years
Half-life
0.5 to 2 h
Protein binding
[L47396]
Volume of distribution
0.07 L/kg
[L47396]
Although heparin does not distribute into adipose tissues, clinicians should use actual body…
Metabolism
[L47396]
Elimination
Clearance
0.43 ml
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 901 interactions
HIT is caused by an immunological reaction that makes platelets form clots within the blood vessels, thereby using up coagulation factors. It can progress to thrombotic complications such as arterial thrombosis, gangrene, stroke, myocardial infarction and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Symptoms of overdose may show excessive prolongation of aPTT or by bleeding, which may be internal or external, major or minor.
Therapeutic doses of heparin give for at least 4 months have been associated with osteoporosis and spontaneous vertebral fractures. Osteoporosis may be reversible once heparin is discontinued. Although a causal relationship has not been established, administration of injections preserved with benzyl alcohol has been associated with toxicity in neonates.
Toxicity appears to have resulted from administration of large amounts (i.e., about 100–400 mg/kg daily) of benzyl alcohol in these neonates. Its use is principally associated with the use of bacteriostatic 0.9% sodium chloride intravascular flush or endotracheal tube lavage solutions.
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L47396]
Plasma heparin concentrations may be increased and activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs) may be more prolonged in geriatric adults (older than 60 years of age) compared with younger adults.
[L47396]
[L47396]
For the purpose of choosing a protamine dose, heparin can be assumed to have a half-life of about 30 minutes after intravenous injection.
[L47396]
The plasma half-life of heparin increases from about 30 min after an IV bolus of 25 units/kg to 60 minutes with a 100 unit/kg dose or to about 150 minutes with a 400 unit/kg dose.
[A1870]
[L47396]
[L47396]
Although heparin does not distribute into adipose tissues, clinicians should use actual body weight in obese patients to account for extra vasculature.
[A1874]
[L47396]
[L47396]
High-molecular-weight moieties are cleared more rapidly than lower molecular-weight moieties.
[A1870]
[A1876]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:15140129 PMID:15853774
AT-III inhibits thrombin, matriptase-3/TMPRSS7, as well as factors IXa, Xa and XIa .
PMID:15140129
Its inhibitory activity is greatly enhanced in the presence of heparin
PMID:22409427
Factor Xa activates pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in a protease-activated receptor (PAR)-dependent manner .
PMID:24041930 PMID:30568593 PMID:34831181 PMID:18202198
Up-regulates expression of protease-activated receptors (PARs) F2R, F2RL1 and F2RL2 in dermal microvascular endothelial cells .
PMID:35738824
Triggers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as MCP-1/CCL2 and IL6, in cardiac fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells in PAR-1/F2R-dependent manner .
PMID:30568593 PMID:34831181
Triggers the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as MCP-1/CCL2, IL6, TNF-alpha/TNF, IL-1beta/IL1B, IL8/CXCL8 and IL18, in endothelial cells and atrial tissues .
PMID:24041930 PMID:35738824 PMID:9780208
Induces expression of adhesion molecules, such as ICAM1, VCAM1 and SELE, in endothelial cells and atrial tissues .
PMID:24041930 PMID:35738824 PMID:9780208
Increases expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in dermal microvascular endothelial cells and atrial tissues .
PMID:24041930 PMID:35738824
Triggers activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa-B in dermal microvascular endothelial cells and atrial tissues .
PMID:24041930 PMID:35738824
Activates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses in dermal fibroblasts and enhances wound healing probably via PAR-2/F2RL1-dependent mechanism .
PMID:18202198
Activates barrier protective signaling responses in endothelial cells in PAR-2/F2RL1-dependent manner; the activity depends on the cleavage of PAR-2/F2RL1 by factor Xa .
PMID:22409427
Up-regulates expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (SERPINE1) in atrial tissues PMID:24041930
Mediates rapid rolling of leukocyte rolling over vascular surfaces during the initial steps in inflammation through interaction with SELPLG. Mediates cell-cell interactions and cell adhesion via the interaction with integrin alpha-IIb/beta3 (ITGA2B:ITGB3) and integrin alpha-V/beta-3 (ITGAV:ITGB3) PMID:37184585
Ligand binding leads to the activation of several signaling cascades. Activation of PLCG1 leads to the production of the cellular signaling molecules diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Phosphorylation of FRS2 triggers recruitment of GRB2, GAB1, PIK3R1 and SOS1, and mediates activation of RAS, MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and the MAP kinase signaling pathway, as well as of the AKT1 signaling pathway.
Promotes SRC-dependent phosphorylation of the matrix protease MMP14 and its lysosomal degradation. FGFR4 signaling is down-regulated by receptor internalization and degradation; MMP14 promotes internalization and degradation of FGFR4. Mutations that lead to constitutive kinase activation or impair normal FGFR4 inactivation lead to aberrant signaling
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
Involved compounds
ATC B01AB51
ATC C05BA03
ATC S01XA14
ATC C05BA53
ATC B01AB01
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Heparin
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
11364
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
9060
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
9045
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:775
GenAtlas
SERPINC1
GeneCards
SERPINC1
GenBank Gene Database
M21642
GenBank Protein Database
179161
Guide to Pharmacology
2632
UniProt Accession
ANT3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3528
GenAtlas
F10
GeneCards
F10
GenBank Gene Database
K03194
GenBank Protein Database
182841
Guide to Pharmacology
2359
UniProt Accession
FA10_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10721
GenAtlas
SELP
GeneCards
SELP
GenBank Gene Database
M60234
GenBank Protein Database
183389
Guide to Pharmacology
3103
UniProt Accession
LYAM3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3691
GenAtlas
FGFR4
GeneCards
FGFR4
GenBank Gene Database
X57205
GenBank Protein Database
31372
Guide to Pharmacology
1811
UniProt Accession
FGFR4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3682
GenAtlas
FGF4
GeneCards
FGF4
GenBank Gene Database
J02986
GenBank Protein Database
386788
UniProt Accession
FGF4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3675
GeneCards
FGF19
UniProt Accession
FGF19_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3688
GenAtlas
FGFR1
GeneCards
FGFR1
GenBank Gene Database
X51803
GenBank Protein Database
31368
Guide to Pharmacology
1808
UniProt Accession
FGFR1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3665
GenAtlas
FGF1
GeneCards
FGF1
GenBank Gene Database
M13361
GenBank Protein Database
181942
UniProt Accession
FGF1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3689
GenAtlas
FGFR2
GenBank Gene Database
X52832
GenBank Protein Database
31374
Guide to Pharmacology
1809
UniProt Accession
FGFR2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3676
GenAtlas
FGF2
GeneCards
FGF2
GenBank Gene Database
X04431
GenBank Protein Database
31362
UniProt Accession
FGF2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:8861
GenAtlas
PF4
GeneCards
PF4
GenBank Gene Database
M25897
GenBank Protein Database
189851
UniProt Accession
PLF4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:4893
GenAtlas
HGF
GeneCards
HGF
GenBank Gene Database
M29145
GenBank Protein Database
306846
UniProt Accession
HGF_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:5164
GenAtlas
HPSE
GeneCards
HPSE
GenBank Gene Database
AF152376
GenBank Protein Database
5616197
Guide to Pharmacology
2996
UniProt Accession
HPSE_HUMAN
International reference pricing
Reference pricing from DrugBank. Prices are indicative and may not reflect current UK costs.
Source: DrugBank. Used under CC BY-NC 4.0 academic licence for non-commercial purposes.
Patent information
1 active patent, 3 expired
Source: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0. Patent data sourced from national patent offices. Expiry dates may not reflect extensions, regulatory exclusivity periods, or legal challenges.
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications: