NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.
HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION
CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Heparinised Saline Injection.It does not contain all the available information.It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks.Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being given Heparinised Saline Injection against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital.If possible, please read this leaflet carefully before this medicine is given to you. In some cases this leaflet may be given to you after the medicine has been used.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet.
You may need to read it again.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
What Heparinised Saline Injection is used for
Heparinised Saline Injection belongs to a group of medicines known as anticoagulants. Anticoagulants work by decreasing the clotting ability of your blood and help stop clots forming in the blood vessels.Anticoagulants are sometimes called “blood thinners”, although they do not actually thin the blood.Heparin will not dissolve blood clots that have already formed, but it may prevent any clots that have already formed from becoming larger and causing serious problems.
Heparinised Saline Injection is used to prevent the blocking of injection equipment often caused by blood clots.
Heparinised Saline Injection may be used for the treatment of other conditions that are not mentioned above.Your doctor will be able to tell you about the specific condition for which you have been prescribed Heparinised Saline Injection.
Before you are given Heparinised Saline Injection
When you must not be given it
Do not use Heparinised Saline Injection if you:
have an allergy to heparin or pork products
have, or may have, a bleeding disease or a problem with your blood vessels
have low blood platelet count
If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if:
1.you have any allergies to:
any other medicine
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes
2.you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of being given heparin during pregnancy.
3.you are breastfeeding or plan to breast feed
your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of being given heparin whilst breastfeeding.
4.you have or have had any medical conditions or procedures, especially the following:
heart problems or high blood pressure
blood disease or bleeding problems
heavy or unusual periods
medical or dental surgery
stomach ulcers
liver or kidney disease.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and heparin may interfere with each other.These include:
pain relieving medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen
medicines for heart conditions such as digitalis, nitroglycerine,dipyridamole and epoprostenol
antibiotics such as tetracycline, cephamandole and penicillins
medicines for rheumatoid arthritis such as hydroxychloroquine
anti-inflammatory medicines such as indomethacin and phenobutazone
medicines for hay fever such as antihistamines
nicotine
anticlotting medicines such as aprotinin and warfarin
medicines which cause increased volume of urine such as spironolactone, triamterene and amiloride
potassium supplements such as potassium containing salt substitutes
medicines for treating gout such as probenecid
medicines for reducing swelling of the body such as ethacrynic acid
medicines for cancer treatment such as cytostatic drugs and asparaginase
medicines used for epilepsy (seizures) such as valproic acid
medicines used for thyroid problems such as propylthiouracil
substances used to enhance the contrast of structures or fluids within the body in medical imaging
corticosteroids
insulin.
Some medicines and Heparinised Saline Injection may be incompatible in solution.These include:
anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin and mitozantrone
anticlotting medicines such as aprotinin
sedatives such as diazepam
antipsychotics such as some phenothiazines
antihypertensives such as labetalol hydrochloride
glucose
fat emulsion
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information about medicines to be careful with or avoid while using this medicine
Your doctor will advise you about continuing to take other medicines while you are receiving Heparinised Saline Injection.
How Heparinised Saline Injection is given
Heparinised Saline Injection is put into an injection device that is positioned in the arm and which is injected into the vein.This will help to prevent blood clots from forming and blocking the device.Heparinised Saline Injection must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose, how often and how long you will receive Heparinised Saline Injection.This depends on your condition and other factors, such as age, blood tests, method it is being given and whether or not other medicines are being given at the same time.
If you are given too much (overdose)
This rarely happens as Heparinised Saline Injection is administered under the care of a highly trained doctor.
However, if you are given too much heparin, you may experience some of the effects listed under “Side effects” below.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose.Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
In the case of an overdose, immediately tell your doctor or telephone the Poisons Information Centre (phone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you have side effects after being given Heparinised Saline Injection. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are given Heparinised Saline Injection
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are being given Heparinised Saline Injection.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are being given this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are being given this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are being given this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Side effects
Like other medicines, heparin can cause some side effects.If they occur, most are likely to be minor or temporary.However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or nurse to answer any questions that you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice the following:
change in skin colour or pain around the injection site
fever
chills
runny nose
watering eyes
vomiting
nausea
headache
itchy soles of the feet
These are side effects of heparin and are mostly mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following:
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal e.g. unexplained nosebleeds, bleeding from gums when brushing teeth, red or dark brown urine, bloody or black stools
If you drink heavily you have a greater risk of bleeding compared to moderate drinkers or non drinkers.Elderly patients (older than 65 years of age), particularly women, have a greater risk of bleeding.
signs of allergy such as a rash, itching, hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
These side effects are serious.You may need urgent medical attention.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.Some side effects may only be seen by your doctor.
After using Heparinised Saline Injection
Storage
Heparinised Saline Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward.The injection is kept in a cool dry place, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Product Description
What it looks like
Heparinised Saline Injection is a clear, colourless solution in a plastic ampoule in units of 50 ampoules.
Ingredients
Heparinised Saline Injection contains Heparin Sodium 50IU/5mL, Hydrochloric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium Chloride in Water for Injections . It does not contain a preservative.
Supplier
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number:1800 675 229
www.pfizer.com.au
Australian Registration Number
AUST R 66684: Heparinised Saline Injection 50IU/5mL (sterile) Steriluer® (50s)
Date of preparation
October 2019
® Registered trademark.
© Copyright Pfizer Pty Ltd.
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