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Heparin Overdoses

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Heparin overdoses occur when patients are administered excessive amounts of the injectable anti-coagulant drug heparin. Produced by Baxter Healthcare, heparin is used in the treatment of various blood clotting disorders and cardiac diseases such as: atrial fibrillation (a type of arrhythmia); deep vein thrombosis (blood clots stuck in deep veins within the body); peripheral arterial embolism (blood clots in the large arteries of the arms and/or legs); and pulmonary embolism (a life-threatening condition in which blood clots lodge in the lungs and significantly impede breathing and re-oxygenation of the blood).

Heparin Dosing

Precise heparin dosing, as well as drip rate, will depend on:

• the type of condition a patient has
• the severity of a patient's condition
• a patient's medical history (including other medications that he is currently taking)

When heparin overdoses occur, emergency medical treatment will be vital to preventing permanent injuries and, in the most severe cases, saving patients' lives.

Heparin Overdose Symptoms

Patients who experience a heparin overdose can develop any combination of the following symptoms:

• easy bruising
• blood in urine (hematuria) or black, bloody stools
• excessive or unstoppable bleeding (particularly from the nose, gums and/or existing wounds)

Heparin Overdose in Babies

Tragically, heparin overdoses don't only affect adults. The highly publicized 2007 incident involving Dennis Quaid's twins is a prime example of how heparin overdoses in infants can occur because of human error – particularly if healthcare professionals mistakenly administer adult heparin doses to babies. Without immediate treatment, heparin overdose in babies will be fatal.

Heparin Overdose Treatment: An Antidote for Heparin Overdose

When heparin overdoses occur, patients will be given protamine sulfate, a heparin antidote that binds to heparin molecules and counteracts their anti-clotting effects. In general, 1mg of protamine sulfate is injected for every 100 IU of heparin a patient has ingested.

To minimize the possible heparin side effects, doctors will:

• Make sure that patients aren't allergic to fish (Because protamine sulfate is derived from fish semen, it can cause severe allergic reaction in those with fish allergies)
• Administer the protamine sulfate slowly

Following Heparin Overdose: Heparin Lawsuits

Patients who suffer a heparin overdose should meet with a heparin lawyer, once their health is stable, to find out if they have a viable legal claim and are entitled compensation for the losses they incurred.

Those who suffer a heparin overdose as a result of medical mistakes or mislabeled heparin packaging can recover compensation for their pain and suffering, as well as their medical bills, by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Surviving family members of patients killed by a heparin overdose are, in most cases, able to recover compensation for outstanding medical costs, funeral and burial expenses and lost companionship and support.

During a free initial consultation, prospective plaintiffs can get advice about their case and decide whether they want to start an individual case or a class action suit.

If You Have Been Injured by Heparin

Have you or a loved one been injured after taking Heparin? If so, contact us to speak with an experienced Heparin attorney who specializes in drug recall litigation & lawsuits. Let us help you win the compensation you need and deserve.