Medscape - Indication-specific dosing for heparin, frequency-based adverse effects, comprehensive interactions, contraindications, pregnancy & lactation schedules, and cost information. Heparin is an injectable anticoagulant that is used to prevent the formation of blood clots in the vessels. It is a highly-sulfated glycosaminoglycan and the most highly negatively charged. Heparin injection is an anticoagulant. It is used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and help prevent harmful clots from forming in blood vessels. This medicine is sometimes called a blood thinner, although it does not actually thin the blood. Heparin (heparin sodium injectable) is a heterogeneous group of straight-chain anionic mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans that have anticoagulant properties used to help prevent clot formation (for example, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, coagulopathies and coronary artery clots). Heparin is an anticoagulant (“blood thinner”) that stops your blood from forming blood clots or making them bigger. It can help a blood clot dissolve faster, but it can’t break it down. Heparin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that prevents the formation of blood clots. Heparin is used to treat and prevent blood clots caused by certain medical conditions or medical procedures. Overview: Heparin is a blood thinner that is used to prevent or treat blood clots. It may be injected under the skin or into a blood vessel. The most common side effects are irritation at the. Heparin remains a foundational parenteral anticoagulant across both acute and chronic care settings. This narrative review summarizes clinical indications and dosing of unfractionated (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Easy-to-read patient tips for heparin covering how it works, benefits, risks, and best practices. Heparin acts as an anticoagulant, preventing the formation of clots and extension of existing clots within the blood. Heparin itself does not break down clots that have already formed, instead, it prevents clot formation by inhibiting thrombin and other procoagulant serine proteases.