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Baxter Heparin
Heparin (also known as heparin sodium) is a blood thinner administered in surgery and other critical care situations to prevent clots. It is crucial in dialysis and heart surgery, and is used for the bedridden. Heparin acts as an anticoagulant (blood thinner) by preventing the formation of clots and extension of existing clots within the blood. While heparin does not break down clots that have already formed, it allows the body's natural clot mechanisms to work normally to break down clots that have already formed.
Heparin, which has been manufactured since 1930, is administered to millions of patients yearly. Heparin can cause some side effects, including most seriously heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT syndrome). HITS is caused by an immunological reaction that makes platelets collect within the blood vessels, thereby using up coagulation factors. Formation of clots can lead to thrombosis, while the loss of coagulation factors and platelets may result in bleeding. HITS can (rarely) occur shortly after heparin is given, but also when a person has been on heparin for a long while.
Most recently, Baxter Healthcare Corporation (who made almost half in the herparin used in the U.S.) was forced to halt sales of its multiple-dose injectable heparin. The FDA reported that, since the end of 2007, it received about 350 reports of health problems associated with Baxter heparin, with 40 percent deemed serious. Allergic reactions included difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and rapidly falling blood pressure, which in some cases led to life-threatening shock and, in four cases, death. It has been determined that the potentially toxic Baxter heparin was produced in a Chinese factory that was never properly inspected by the FDA.
Fast Facts
| Name: | Heparin |
| Generic: | Heparin sodium |
| Manufacturer: | Baxter Healthcare Corporation |
| Date approved: | 1972 |
| Status: | Recalled |
| Approved uses: | Anticoagulant |
| Off-Label uses: | N/A |
| Side effects: | Possible allergic reaction, Thrombocytopenia, Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (HITT), Hypersensitivity, possible hemorrhage |
| Related topics: |
