Heparin and Alcohol Interaction
Heparin and Alcohol
Heparin which is sold under the brand names Hep-Pak, Heparin Lock Flush, Hep-Pak CVC, Hep-Lock, Heparin Sodium ADD-Vantage belongs to the family of drugs known as anticoagulants that prevention of blood clots. This drug is used to treat and prevent the formation of blood clots. Heparin is injected under the skin or into a vein using an IV and should be done by health professionals.
It is used to treat and prevent blood clots in the veins, arteries or lungs and is also administered before surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots.
It is suggested to not drink alcohol while using this drug as it will further thin the blood.
At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.
If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.
If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.
Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.
Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.
When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.
Before using Heparin advise your physician if you are allergic to this or any other drug or substance, are pregnant, plan to be so, are breast feeding, have high blood pressure, a heart infection, hemophilia or blood disorder, stomach or intestinal disorder, liver disease or if on your period.
Side effects
Less serious side effects are mild pain, redness, warmth or skin changes at injection site, mild itching of you feet or bluish color of skin. If these occur call your physician for advice.
Serious side effects are sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, balance, chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, pain, swelling, warmth, redness in both legs, trouble breathing, fever, chills, runny nose or water eyes, bleeding episodes, bruising, blood in your urine or stools, allergic reactions such as hives, itching, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, feeling faint, nausea, black or tarry stools If these occur get emergency medical help.
Heparin and alcohol Heparin and alcohol
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