Heparin flush

Heparin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation of blood clots.

Heparin flush is used to flush (clean out) an intravenous (IV) catheter, which helps prevent blockage in the tube after you have received an IV infusion.

Heparin flush should not be used to treat or prevent blood clots in the body. A separate heparin product is available to use for this purpose.

Heparin flush may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Heparin flush should not be used to treat or prevent blood clots in the body. A separate heparin product is available to use for this purpose.

You should not use heparin flush if you have uncontrolled bleeding or a severe lack of platelets in your blood.

Heparin flush can cause bleeding. Call your doctor at once if you have easy bruising or unusual bleeding, such as a nosebleed, black or bloody tarry stools, or any bleeding that will not stop.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Using certain medicines while you are using heparin flush can cause you to bleed more easily.

Heparin flush is injected directly into the catheter lock of your IV (intravenous) line. You may be shown how to use heparin flush at home.

Do not use heparin flush if you do not fully understand how to flush your IV line and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject your medicines. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not use heparin flush if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for a new prescription.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Call your doctor for instructions if you forget to use heparin to flush your IV line.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with heparin flush may cause you to bleed more easily.

Usual Adult Dose for Patency Maintenance of Indwelling Intravenous Devices:

Heparin flush, 10 or 100 units/mL, is injected as a single dose into an intravenous injection device using a volume of solution equivalent to that of the indwelling venipuncture device.

When using daily flushes of heparin to maintain patency of single and double lumen central catheters, 10 units/mL is commonly used for younger infants (less than 10 kg) while 100 units/mL is used for older infants, children, and adults.

A single dose should be injected following venipuncture when the indwelling device is not to be used immediately. After each use of the indwelling venipuncture device for injection or infusion of medication, or withdrawal of blood samples, another dose should be injected to restore the effectiveness of the heparin lock. The amount of heparin solution is sufficient to prevent clotting within the lumen of indwelling venipuncture devices (usually not holding more than 0.2 to 0.3 mL) for up to twenty-four hours.

When the indwelling device is used to administer a drug which is incompatible with heparin, the entire heparin lock set should be flushed with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP before and after the medication is administered. Following the second flush, another dose of heparin solution should be injected to restore the effectiveness of the heparin lock. When the indwelling device is used for repeated withdrawal of blood samples for laboratory analyses and the presence of heparin or saline is likely to interfere with or alter results of the desired blood tests, the in situ heparin flush solution should be cleared from the device by aspirating and discarding 1 mL before the desired blood sample is drawn.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Patency Maintenance of Indwelling Intravenous Devices:

Arterial lines: Heparinize with a usual final concentration of 1 unit/mL; range: 0.5 to 2 units/mL; in order to avoid large total doses and systemic effects, use 0.5 unit/mL in low birth weight/premature newborns and in other patients receiving multiple lines containing heparin.

Peripheral arterial catheters in situ: Neonates and Children: Continuous IV infusion of heparin at a final concentration of 5 units/mL at 1 mL/hour.

Umbilical artery catheter (UAC) prophylaxis: Neonates: Low-dose heparin continuous IV infusion via the UAC with a heparin concentration of 0.25 to 1 unit/mL.

Prophylaxis for cardiac catheterization via an artery: Neonates and Children: IV: Bolus: 100 to 150 units/kg; for prolonged procedures, further doses may be required.