Heparin, also known as unfractionated heparin (UFH), is a medication and naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan, one of the most studied sulfated polysaccharides.
Facts
Drug ClassAnticoagulant (sulfated glycosaminoglycan) 1 Mechanism of ActionBinds antithrombin, activating it to inactivate thrombin, factor Xa and other clotting proteases, with inactivation rates increasing up to 1000-fold. 1 Approved UsePrevents and treats blood clots as an anticoagulant. 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskBleeding, injection site pain and low blood platelets; serious risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. 1 Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountB: Blood and Blood Forming Organs 2 Route of Administration WHO Essential Medicine Connections
Treats
Source Heparin (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Heparin (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Heparin, also known as unfractionated heparin (UFH), is a medication and naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan.
Infobox, drug class
Anticoagulant
Mechanism of action section
binds to antithrombin, causing a conformational change that activates it
History section
Discovery announced in 1916 by Jay McLean and William Henry Howell; clinical trials began in 1935
Adverse effects section
Serious adverse effects encompass heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Lead section, route-of-administration statement
It can be given intravenously or by injection under the skin.
- Regulatory approval status
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, core list
View the Source 2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code BQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code B
Blood and blood forming organs
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.