1. Why am I being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION?

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION contains the active ingredient heparin sodium, derived from pig intestines. HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is used to prevent the blocking of injection equipment often caused by blood clots.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I am given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION?

You should not be given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION if you have ever had an allergic reaction to HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I am given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How is HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION given?

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is put into an injection device that is positioned in the arm and which is injected into the vein. This will help to prevent blood clots from forming and blocking the device. HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION must only be given by a doctor or nurse.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How is HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION given? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while I am being given HEPARINISED SALINE?

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while I am being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Change in skin colour or pain at injection site, fever/chills, runny nose, watery eyes, nausea or vomiting, headache, itchy soles of the feet, bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, hair loss, signs of allergy such as a rash, itching, hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION

Active ingredient(s): heparin sodium

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION.

You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION?

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION contains the active ingredient heparin sodium.

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION belongs to a group of medicines known as anticoagulants. Anticoagulants work by decreasing the clotting ability of your blood and help stop clots forming in the blood vessels.

Anticoagulants 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.

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is used to prevent the blocking of injection equipment often caused by blood clots.

2. What should I know before I am given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION?

Warnings

You should not be given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION if:

• you are allergic to heparin sodium, pork products or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
• Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
• you have, or may have, a bleeding disease or a problem with your blood vessels
• have low blood platelet count

Check with your doctor if you:

have, or have had any other medical conditions or procedures, especially the following:

• heart problems or high blood pressure
• blood disease or bleeding problems
• heavy or unusual menstrual periods
• medical or dental surgery
• stomach ulcers
• liver or kidney disease
• diabetes
• take any medicines for any other condition

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of being given heparin during pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of being given heparin whilst breastfeeding.

Use in children

• HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is not recommended for use in babies up to 4 weeks of age.

Use in the elderly

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION should be used with caution in patients aged 60 years and above, as they may be at an increased risk of bleeding complications.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION and affect how it works.

These include:

• pain relieving medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen
• medicines for heart conditions such as digoxin, nitroglycerine, dipyridamole and epoprostenol
• antibiotics such as tetracycline, cephamandole and penicillins
• medicines for rheumatoid arthritis such as hydroxychloroquine
• anti-inflammatory medicines such as indomethacin and phenobutazone
• medicines for hay fever such as antihistamines
• nicotine
• anticlotting medicines such as aprotinin and warfarin
• medicines that reverse the effects of certain blood thinners (apixaban, rivaroxaban) such as andexanet alfa
• medicines which cause increased volume of urine such as spironolactone, triamterene and amiloride
• potassium supplements such as potassium containing salt substitutes
• medicines for treating gout such as probenecid
• medicines for reducing swelling of the body such as ethacrynic acid
• medicines for cancer treatment such as cytostatic drugs and asparaginase
• medicines used for epilepsy (seizures) such as valproic acid
• medicines used for thyroid problems such as propylthiouracil
• substances used to enhance the contrast of structures or fluids within the body in medical imaging
• corticosteroids
• insulin
• alprostadil, a medicine given before surgery to infants with congenital heart defects and to treat erectile dysfunction
• protamine sulphate, a heparin antidote.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION.

4. How is HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION given?

How much you will be given

Your doctor will decide how much HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is needed.

How it is given

• HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is put into an injection device for injection into a vein. This will help to prevent blood clots from forming and blocking the device.

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION must only be given by a doctor or nurse.

If you are given too much HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION

As HEPARINISED SALINE 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 HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION.

The usual sign of overdosage is bleeding or haemorrhage. Nosebleeds, blood in urine/wee or tarry looking poo/stools may be noted as the first sign of bleeding. Easy bruising or pinpoint spots on the skin may precede heavier bleeding.

Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.

5. What should I know while I am being given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION?

Things you should do

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and be sure to keep all medical appointments.

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 given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION, as it may affect other medicines being used.

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.

If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you have recently been given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you visit that you have recently been given HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION.

Driving or using machines

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION does not affect the ability to drive or use machines.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

If you drink heavily, you have a greater risk of bleeding associated with HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION compared to moderate drinkers or non-drinkers.

Looking after your medicine

HEPARINISED SALINE 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 pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist 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 pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION contains

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine, other azo dyes, or preservatives.

What HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION looks like

HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION is a clear, colourless solution in a plastic ampoule.

50 IU / 5 mL: AUST R 66684

Who distributes HEPARINISED SALINE INJECTION

Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd

Sydney NSW

Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229

www.pfizermedicalinformation.com.au

This leaflet was prepared in November 2025.