What Is Heparin?

Heparin is a prescription drug in a class of medications called anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners.

Heparin works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood, thereby preventing the formation of clots as well as preventing existing clots from fatally moving throughout the bloodstream.

Most physicians administer intravenous Heparin to decrease the chance of clots forming in patients undergoing certain medical procedures, such as:

• During cardiac surgery
• Preventing the formation of clots in catheters
• Kidney dialysis
• Treatment for pulmonary embolism
• Other blood conditions

The intestines of slaughtered pigs contain crude Heparin, and at this stage the drug needs careful extraction or else it can become contaminated or spoiled.

Individuals who received contaminated Heparin may experience any of the following allergic reactions or symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Stomach pain
• Low blood pressure
• Decreased skin sensitivity
• Burning or other abnormal sensations
• Other severe or life threatening side effects

The links below can also be useful resources for individuals interested in learning about the medication Heparin:

• Heparin by Wikipedia
• Heparin by the Encyclopedia Britannica
• Consumer Reports on Heparin
• Medline Plus on Heparin

Call (419) 827-3194 to contact our MDL and class action lawyers for more information about the ongoing Heparin lawsuit and your ability to recover damages caused by the negligent drug manufacturer.