Heparin

An anticoagulant drug used to prevent and treat abnormal blood clotting. Heparin is given by injection and is used as an immediate treatment for deep vein thrombosis or for pulmonary embolism. Newly developed “low molecular weight heparins”, for example tinzaparin, which need to be injected once a day, are now widely used and can be self-administered at home. Adverse effects of heparin include rash, aching bones, and abnormal bleeding in different parts of the body. Long-term use may cause osteoporosis.