2. What should I know before being given DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION?
Do not start treatment if you have ever had an allergic reaction to heparin or any
medicine derived from heparin, pork products or any of the ingredients listed at the
end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially those which
involve increased risk of bleeding such as haemophilia, Vitamin C deficiency, fragile
capillaries, hiatus hernia, retinopathy (eye disease), low platelet count, bleeding
haemorrhoids (piles), very high/low blood pressure, heart infection, ulcers, liver/kidney
disease, diabetes, cancer, allergies/ asthma, or recently had a stroke, major surgery,
given birth, are pregnant/breastfeeding or have heavy menstrual periods.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION and affect how it works.
Heparin treatment may also lead to an increase of potassium in your blood, so you
must tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including those which
raise your potassium levels. Also tell your doctor if you are a smoker or a heavy
drinker (of alcohol).
4. How is DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION given?
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION is given by injection either under the skin or into a
vein, or as a slow 'drip' into a vein.
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive and for how long you will receive
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION. It must only be given by a doctor or a nurse.
5. What should I know during treatment with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION?
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Things you should do
|
Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual bleeding, such as nose bleeds, bleeding
gums after brushing your teeth, excessive bleeding at the injection site or from any
open wounds.
If you need medical, dental/surgical procedures including blood test and contrast
scans/x-rays in the next few weeks, tell your doctor, dentist, nurse or anaesthetist
that you recently received heparin.
If you have any physical accidents once you leave hospital, seek medical attention
and tell your treating doctor or nurse that you have recently been treated with DBL
HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION.
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|
Driving or using machines
|
In some cases, DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION may cause ay cause drowsiness, tiredness,
dizziness, confusion or anxiety/agitation. If this occurs, do not drive or use machines.
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Drinking alcohol
|
Tell your doctor if you are a heavy alcohol drinker, as you would be at a greater
risk of major heparin-associated bleeding than moderate or light drinkers.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects include: pain/bruising at injection site, allergic reaction, feeling
sick/vomiting, unusual/increased bleeding, tingling/numbness or discolouration of
hands/feet, abnormal heartbeat; muscle weakness, fever, severe back/tummy pain or
headache, bleeding in tummy, gut, spine or brain, dizziness, osteoporosis, chest tightness/pain,
difficulty breathing, stroke.
Active ingredient(s):
heparin sodium (from pig intestines)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about being treated with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM
INJECTION.
You should also speak to your doctor or nurse if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about being treated with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM
INJECTION.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I being given DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION?
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION contains the active ingredient heparin sodium, which
is derived from pig intestines.
It belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-coagulants, which work by decreasing
the clotting ability of the blood, to help stop blood clots from forming.
Anti-coagulants are sometimes called "blood thinners", although they do not actually
thin the blood.
Heparin will not dissolve blood clots that have already formed, but it may prevent
any clots that have already formed from becoming larger and causing serious problems.
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION is used to:
Prevent and treat blood clots in vessels that have started to clog up, in conditions
such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other blood vessel, heart and lung conditions.
Prevent blood clots from forming during and/or surgery, kidney dialysis, blood transfusions
or similar procedures, or if you have frostbite.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
2. What should I know before being given DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION?
Warnings
Do not use DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION:
If you have an allergy to heparin or medicines derived from heparin, pork products
or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients
to make sure you can be given this medicine.
if you have, or have ever had, any of the following medical conditions: diseases or
conditions where bleeding may be a problem, such as haemophilia, vitamin C deficiency,
problems with fragile capillaries (small blood vessels), hiatus hernia, tumours, retinopathy
(a disease of the eye), bleeding haemorrhoids (piles), stroke (bleeding on the brain),
endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), very high blood pressure,
low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia), stomach or gut ulcers, or other conditions
which may bleed, such as ulcerative colitis, severe kidney or liver disease, or very
recent major surgery involving the eyes, brain or spinal cord.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, and if so, whether you have a history of miscarriage,
or if you have recently had a baby.
If you have had problems with your blood after using pentosan polysulfate (a medicine
used to treat cystitis).
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions such as: asthma or allergies, high blood pressure,
ulcers, heart problems, cancer, diabetes, any disorders associated with your blood,
have an infection, liver or kidney disease or eye diseases
have had any very recent medical, surgical or dental procedures
are scheduled to have any surgical or major dental procedures in the next few weeks
are scheduled to have any contrast scans/x-rays in the next few weeks
have any tummy/gut drainage tubes
heavy or unusual menstrual periods.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks. See additional information under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
When heparin is used in pregnant women, it may cause premature (early) delivery or
harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment with
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION in pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
Use in children
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION may be given to children.
Use in the elderly
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION should be used with caution in the elderly, especially
in patients aged 60 years and above, as they may be at an increased risk of bleeding
complications. Your doctor will consider this with treatment and will monitor accordingly.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including
vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket
or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION and affect how it works.
Medicines that may increase the effect of DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION (i.e. increase
the risk of bleeding) include:
medicines derived from heparin - such as dalteparin sodium or enoxaparin sodium
other anticoagulants ('blood thinners') - such as warfarin
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ('NSAIDs') - such as aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen,
diclofenac, piroxicam, meloxicam, indometacin and keterolac
platelet inhibitors - such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, tirofiban, eptifibatide
and dipyradamole
thrombolytics (clot-dissolving medicines) - such as alteplase, tenecteplase, apixaban,
rivaroxaban and dabigatran
dextran, a medicine used to treat 'shock', which occurs when you have dangerously
low blood pressure
systemic corticosteroids - for example prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone,
beclomethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and triamcinolone
hydroxychloroquine, used to treat/prevent malaria, or to treat rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus ('lupus')
probenecid, used to treat gout
medicines used to treat some cancers, known as 'cytostatics' - for example cytarabine,
daunorubicin, fluorouracil and methotrexate
asparaginase, used to treat a cancer of the white blood cells known as acute lymphocytic
leukaemia ('ALL')
some antibiotics - such as penicillin and cefamandole
sodium valproate (also known as 'valproic acid'), used to treat epilepsy
epoprostenol, used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension ('PAH')
propylthiouracil, used to treat thyroid issues
contrast media used in some scans/x-rays
Medicines that may decrease the effect of DBL HEPARIN SODIUM (i.e. increase the risk
of clotting) include:
medicines to control bleeding such as andexanet alfa
antihistamines (medicines used to prevent or relieve the symptoms of allergy, hay
fever or rashes) - especially those containing diphenhydramine
digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure
tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline, minocycline and tigecycline, used to
treat some infections
medicines that contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
quinine, used to treat malaria
glyceryl trinitrate (also known as nitroglycerin), used to treat angina (chest pain)
and anal fissures
nicotine (including e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine patches, tablets etc.)
alcohol
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION may also increase blood potassium levels in patients
taking the following medicines:
potassium salts, some fluid tablets (e.g. amiloride, spironolactone and eplerenone),
some medicines for heart problems (e.g. perindopril, lisinopril, enalapril and telmisartan,
candesartan, irbesartan, losartan) and some antibiotics (e.g. trimethoprim and pentamidine).
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM may also increase the effects of:
oral anti-diabetic drugs known as 'sulfonylureas', such as gliclazide, glimepiride
and glipizide
benzodiazepines, also known as 'benzos', such as diazepam, oxazepam, midazolam
propranolol, used to treat high blood pressure and other heart issues.
If you are taking any of these medicines while using DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION,
your doctor will need to carefully monitor your blood clotting factors and other blood
levels, such as potassium.
Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines,
vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION.
4. How is DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION given?
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose, how often and how long you will receive DBL HEPARIN
SODIUM INJECTION.
How it is given
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION may be given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously),
by an injection into a vein, or through a slow infusion “drip” into a vein (intravenously).
It should not be injected into muscle.
If you are given too much DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION
As DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION is being given to you in hospital, under the close
supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much. Your
condition will also be carefully monitored following administration.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you are concerned that you may have been
given too much DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION. Symptoms of an overdose may be abnormal
bleeding from your bowel motion (poo), urine (wee), under your skin, from your nose,
or abnormal bruising or coughing up blood.
5. What should I know during treatment with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION?
Things you should do
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and be sure to keep all medical appointments.
Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual bleeding, such as nose bleeds, bleeding
gums after brushing your teeth, heavier than normal menstrual bleeding, excessive
bleeding at the injection site, blood in your wee/poo, or from any open wounds or
have unusual stomach pain.
Tell your doctor if you notice sudden or severe headaches, numbness or tingling, vision
or hearing changes, memory loss, muscle weakness or tremors, balance and coordination
issues, slurred or changed speech, seizures, unexplained fatigue, problems with swallowing,
or changes in mood or personality.
Your doctor may ask you to have blood tests to check your progress and prevent unwanted
side effects. If you are scheduled to have any blood tests or contrast scans/x-rays
in the next few weeks after you leave hospital, remind your doctor that you have recently
been given DBL HEPARIN SODIUM, as it may interfere with the results of some tests.
If you have any physical accidents once you leave hospital, seek medical attention
and advise your treating doctor or nurse that you have been given DBL HEPARIN SODIUM
recently, as you are at greater risk of bleeding and complications.
If you need medical, dental or surgical procedures in the next few weeks after you
leave hospital, tell your doctor, dentist, anaesthetist or pharmacist that you have
recently been treated with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM, as it may affect other medicines being
used.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you visit that you have recently been
treated with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION.
Driving or using machines
Do not drive a car or use any machines or tools until you know how DBL HEPARIN SODIUM
INJECTION affects you.
In some cases, DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION may cause drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness,
confusion or anxiety/agitation.
Drinking alcohol
If you drink heavily, you have a greater risk of bleeding associated with DBL HEPARIN
SODIUM INJECTION compared to moderate drinkers or non-drinkers.
Looking after your medicine
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward under the
correct conditions.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or nurse if you have
any further questions about side effects.
If you are over 60 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects,
especially if you are female. Some side effects may occur several weeks after finishing
treatment with DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice anything else that may be making you feel
unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side-effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/safety/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or nurse before you decide to stop taking
any of your medicines.
7. Product details
What DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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heparin sodium (from pig intestines)
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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hydrochloric acid
sodium hydroxide
water for Injections
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, preservatives,
tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
What DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION looks like
DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION is a clear, colourless or straw-coloured solution in
glass ampoules.
5,000 IU / 1 mL: AUST R 12881
1,000 IU / 1 mL: AUST R 12883
5,000 IU / 0.2 mL: AUST R 16349
Who distributes DBL HEPARIN SODIUM INJECTION
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
This leaflet was prepared in December 2025.