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Heparin flush Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Hep-Lock, Heparin Lock Flush, Monoject Prefill Advanced, PosiFlush

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 2, 2023.

Heparin flush Pregnancy Warnings

Heparin has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been conducted and there are no controlled data in human pregnancy. It does not cross the placenta due to its large molecular weight (3,000 to 30,000 daltons). Heparin is considered the anticoagulant of choice during pregnancy, although anticoagulation and maternal disease state may pose a risk to both the mother and fetus. Heparin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

See references

Heparin flush Breastfeeding Warnings

Heparin is not excreted into human milk due to its large molecular weight (3,000 to 30,000 daltons). Heparin is considered compatible with breast-feeding.

See references

See also

References for pregnancy information

  1. Hall JG, Pauli RM, Wilson KM. Maternal and fetal sequelae of anticoagulation during pregnancy. Am J Med. 1980;68:122-40.
  2. Nageotte MP, Freeman RK, Garite TJ, Block RA. Anticoagulation in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981;141:472-3.
  3. Flessa HC, Kapstrom AB, Glueck HI, Will JJ. Placental transport of heparin. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1965;93:570-3.
  4. Howell R, Fidler J, Letsky E, De Swiet M. The risks of antenatal subcutaneous heparin prophylaxis: a controlled trial. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1983;90:1124-8.
  5. Bergqvist A, Bergqvist D, Hallbook T. Deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1983;62:443-8.
  6. Aarskog D, Aksnes L, Markestad T, Ulstein M, Sagen N. Heparin-induced inhibition of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D formation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984;148:1141-2.
  7. Ginsburg JS, Kowalchuk G, Hirsh J, Brill-Edwards P, Burrows R. Heparin therapy during pregnancy. Arch Intern Med. 1989;149:2233-6.
  8. Toglia MR, Weg JG. Venous thromboembolism during pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:108-14.
  9. Chan WS, Anand S, Ginsberg JS. Anticoagulation of pregnant women with mechanical heart valves - A systematic review of the literature. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:191-6.
  10. McIntyre JA, Wagenknecht DR, Faulk WP. Clearance of antiphospholipid antibodies in pregnancies treated with heparin. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;98:162.
  11. Masamoto H, Toma T, Sakumoto K, Kanazawa K. Clearance of antiphospholipid antibodies in pregnancies treated with heparin - Reply. Obstet Gynecol. 2001;98:162.
  12. Fausett MB, Vogtlander M, Lee RM, Esplin MS, Branch DW, Rodgers GM, Silver RM. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is rare in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;185:148-52.
  13. Product Information. Heparin Lock Flush (heparin flush). Hospira Inc. 2009.

References for breastfeeding information

  1. Ginsberg JS, Hirsh J. Use of antithrombotic agents during pregnancy. Chest. 1995;108 Suppl:s305-11.
  2. Product Information. Heparin Lock Flush (heparin flush). Hospira Inc. 2009.

Further information

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