Heparin

Heparin is widely used as an injectable anticoagulant. Pharmaceutical grade heparin is derived from mucosal tissues of slaughtered meat animals, such as pig intestine or cow lung.

Heparin for medical use

Heparin acts as an anticoagulant, preventing the formation of clots and extension of existing clots within the blood. While heparin does not break down clots that have already formed (unlike tissue plasminogen activator), it works to assist the body’s natural clot mechanisms in breaking down clots that have already formed. Heparin is used as an anticoagulant the following conditions:

Heparin and its derivatives (enoxaparin, dalteparin, and so forth) are effective at preventing deep-vein thromboses and pulmonary emboli in patients at risk,[1][2] but there is no evidence that they are effective at preventing death.[3] Current guidelines recommend aspirin and leg stockings instead.[4]

Do you have a heparin claim?

If you or your loved one has suffered a serious injury or death as a result of contaminated heparin, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.

Please contact our heparin lawyers today by filling out the brief questionnaire, or by calling our toll free number (1-800-898-2034) for a free, no-cost, no-obligation legal evaluation of your case.

Latest News

Researchers find new method to detect contaminant in heparin

Researchers have come up with an easy and effective method to detect contaminates in heparin, according to the Times of the Internet. A research team led from the University of Michigan and led by Mark Meyerhoff uses potentiometric polyanion sensors to detect heparin in blood. These sensors also can be used to distinguish pure heparin from heparin contaminated with small quantities of oversulfated chondroitin sulfate.

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Study compares brands of heparin given to ICU patients

An intensive care doctor at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario, is questioning hospitals’ choice of using a newer heparin drug over another, raising concern that the choice is made not based on the quality of the drug but rather better marketing, according to The Hamilton Spectator.

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FDA opens first foreign office in Beijing this week

Following up on a story we brought you last month about the FDA setting up offices on foreign soil to provide guidance on U.S. food and drug quality standards, the FDA announced today that the first three of its offices will open this week in China, according to the Associated Press.

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