Anticoagulant (Blood Thinner)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Heparin sodium is a blood-thinning medicine (anticoagulant) that prevents your blood from forming dangerous clots by blocking certain clotting factors in your blood.
Binds to antithrombin III, enhancing its ability to inactivate thrombin (Factor IIa) and Factor Xa, thereby interrupting the coagulation cascade and preventing thrombus formation.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
Heparin is NOT a tablet — it is given as an injection into a vein (IV) or under the skin by a trained nurse or doctor in a hospital. The dose depends on your condition and blood test results. Do not try to inject yourself unless your doctor has specifically trained you to do so. Menaven Gel, which contains heparin, is applied directly on the skin for surface vein swelling or bruises.
Since heparin is usually given by healthcare workers in a hospital, missed doses are rare. If you are on a home injection schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not double the dose. Contact your doctor immediately for guidance.
Heparin must be administered by trained medical professionals — never buy from roadside sellers or try to self-inject without proper training. Always inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, including herbal remedies and traditional medicines. Report any unusual bleeding, dark-coloured stool, or blood in urine to your doctor immediately.
Aspirin and other painkillers like ibuprofen (e.g. Brufen) increase bleeding risk significantly — do not take them without your doctor's approval. Warfarin or other blood thinners used together with heparin greatly increase the chance of dangerous bleeding. Avoid alcohol, as it can thin the blood further and increase your risk of bleeding.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Heparin with your other drugs?
Heparin does not cross into the baby and is generally considered safer than other blood thinners during pregnancy, but it should only be used under strict medical supervision; consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Store heparin injections at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze it. Keep away from children at all times. Menaven Gel should also be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.