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Heparin side effects: what 13,673 FDA adverse event reports show

Heparin Sodium · 1,090 reaction terms · 54,593 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

Not stated in label

Label matched

Heparin Sodium (Heparin Sodium)

closest FDA label found for this product string; brand list suppressed because the label is a related product, not an exact match

Who reports

13,673 reports · 79% serious · 2,609 with death outcome · 46% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

Used for

HEPARIN SODIUM IN SODIUM CHLORIDE INJECTION is indicated for: • Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism; • Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation; • Treatment of acute.

FDA label, Indications and Usage

What it is

Heparin is a heterogeneous group of straight-chain anionic mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans possessing anticoagulant properties. It is composed of polymers of alternating derivat.

FDA label, Description section

Boxed warning

None in the current label

How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled adverse reaction 2Labeled (related wording) 3Reporting / coding artifact 7Lab value / disease marker 8Not in label — unassessed 20
What the badges mean

Strongest disproportionality signals

Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers rather than clinicians. 1,050 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Appendicolith2272,319.7
1,887.1–2,851.5ROR 2,358.8 · χ² 206,730 / p <1e-300
849.9 EB05 761.1 · IC025 +8.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=227 · ♀ 2% (drug 46%) · 97% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Anti factor v antibody132,184.6
934.0–5,109.8ROR 2,186.7 · χ² 10,731 / p <1e-300
385.6 EB05 239.8 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=13not reported in cached trials
Sleep disorder therapy841,270.4
951.0–1,697.1ROR 1,278.3 · χ² 57,218 / p <1e-300
596.4 EB05 496.9 · IC025 +6.7
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=84 · ♀ 7% (drug 46%) · 98% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Antacid therapy541,256.5
876.2–1,801.8ROR 1,261.4 · χ² 36,318 / p <1e-300
551.7 EB05 438.9 · IC025 +6.1
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=54 · ♀ 10% (drug 46%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Heparin resistance44937.3
643.7–1,364.6ROR 940.3 · χ² 24,832 / p <1e-300
462.2 EB05 358.5 · IC025 +5.8
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=39 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
White clot syndrome13655.4
341.9–1,256.1ROR 656.0 · χ² 5,478 / p <1e-300
273.6 EB05 170.2 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=13not reported in cached trials
Analgesic therapy84580.1
451.3–745.6ROR 583.7 · χ² 34,681 / p <1e-300
382.9 EB05 318.9 · IC025 +6.6
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=84 · ♀ 7% (drug 46%) · 98% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia1,273533.2
501.3–567.1ROR 587.8 · χ² 499,663 / p <1e-300
392.1 EB05 374.4 · IC025 +8.3
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious n=1,204 · 96% clinicianNCT00986154: 1/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Drug therapy82530.0
412.4–681.2ROR 533.2 · χ² 31,670 / p <1e-300
359.7 EB05 299.0 · IC025 +6.5
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=82 · ♀ 7% (drug 46%) · 98% clinicianNCT00986154: 1/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Anticoagulant therapy55379.8
282.8–510.2ROR 381.4 · χ² 16,308 / p <1e-300
274.8 EB05 219.1 · IC025 +5.9
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=55 · ♀ 12% (drug 46%) · 96% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Congenital hiatus hernia41348.4
248.2–489.0ROR 349.4 · χ² 11,262 / p <1e-300
250.3 EB05 192.4 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=41 · ♀ 0% (drug 46%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Anti factor x activity increased10343.7
173.0–682.9ROR 344.0 · χ² 2,512 / p <1e-300
183.0 EB05 106.2 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=10not reported in cached trials
Malignant melanoma stage 032329.2
224.7–482.4ROR 330.0 · χ² 8,332 / p <1e-300
233.0 EB05 172.8 · IC025 +5.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=32 · ♀ 0% (drug 46%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia test positive13276.9
153.3–500.1ROR 277.2 · χ² 2,792 / p <1e-300
174.6 EB05 108.6 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=13not reported in cached trials
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia test11244.7
129.4–462.5ROR 244.8 · χ² 2,092 / p <1e-300
154.7 EB05 92.2 · IC025 +3.4
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=10NCT00986154: 1/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Coagulation time shortened36183.3
129.8–259.0ROR 183.8 · χ² 5,661 / p <1e-300
150.7 EB05 113.7 · IC025 +5.1
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=15not reported in cached trials
Bacteroides infection27178.3
119.7–265.6ROR 178.7 · χ² 4,101 / p <1e-300
143.6 EB05 103.6 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=27 · ♀ 0% (drug 46%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Hypoaldosteronism21125.5
80.5–195.9ROR 125.7 · χ² 2,282 / p <1e-300
105.1 EB05 72.6 · IC025 +4.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=21not reported in cached trials
Congenital multiplex arthrogryposis1294.5
52.8–169.3ROR 94.6 · χ² 959 / p 8e-211
78.3 EB05 47.7 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=12not reported in cached trials
Blood phosphorus increased15592.5
78.7–108.7ROR 93.5 · χ² 13,133 / p <1e-300
86.3 EB05 75.5 · IC025 +5.8
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=154 · ♀ 8% (drug 46%) · 96% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Gastroduodenal ulcer2389.0
58.4–135.4ROR 89.1 · χ² 1,807 / p <1e-300
78.8 EB05 55.3 · IC025 +4.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=23 · ♀ 23% (drug 46%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Hyperphosphataemia11688.8
73.7–107.0ROR 89.5 · χ² 9,428 / p <1e-300
82.8 EB05 70.9 · IC025 +5.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=115 · ♀ 7% (drug 46%) · 97% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Coagulation time abnormal1688.6
53.6–146.7ROR 88.7 · χ² 1,228 / p 2e-269
76.4 EB05 49.9 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=13not reported in cached trials
Bullous haemorrhagic dermatosis1186.6
47.2–159.1ROR 86.7 · χ² 802 / p 1e-176
72.2 EB05 43.0 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Subcapsular renal haematoma1078.8
41.7–148.7ROR 78.8 · χ² 658 / p 2e-145
65.9 EB05 38.3 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=10not reported in cached trials
Graft thrombosis1272.9
40.8–130.1ROR 72.9 · χ² 745 / p 3e-164
63.0 EB05 38.4 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Adrenal haemorrhage2571.1
47.6–106.1ROR 71.2 · χ² 1,583 / p <1e-300
64.7 EB05 46.1 · IC025 +4.2
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious n=25 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Spinal epidural haematoma2365.1
42.9–98.9ROR 65.2 · χ² 1,332 / p 7e-292
59.6 EB05 41.8 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=23not reported in cached trials
Activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged20263.5
55.2–73.0ROR 64.4 · χ² 11,864 / p <1e-300
60.6 EB05 53.9 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=184 · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis allergic3560.8
43.4–85.3ROR 61.0 · χ² 1,923 / p <1e-300
56.8 EB05 42.7 · IC025 +4.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=35 · ♀ 0% (drug 46%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Operative haemorrhage1759.9
36.9–97.3ROR 60.0 · χ² 892 / p 3e-196
54.4 EB05 35.9 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessed–NCT00986154: 2/4,118 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Conductive deafness1259.1
33.2–105.2ROR 59.2 · χ² 605 / p 7e-134
52.5 EB05 32.0 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=12not reported in cached trials
Restrictive cardiomyopathy1157.2
31.3–104.4ROR 57.2 · χ² 532 / p 5e-118
50.6 EB05 30.1 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=11not reported in cached trials
Infective aneurysm1755.3
34.1–89.7ROR 55.4 · χ² 823 / p 3e-181
50.5 EB05 33.4 · IC025 +3.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=17not reported in cached trials
Venoocclusive disease8553.8
43.4–66.8ROR 54.1 · χ² 4,204 / p <1e-300
51.4 EB05 42.9 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=85 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Activated partial thromboplastin time shortened1452.7
30.9–89.7ROR 52.7 · χ² 637 / p 9e-141
47.8 EB05 30.3 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=9not reported in cached trials
Enterococcus test positive2151.0
33.0–78.7ROR 51.1 · χ² 948 / p 2e-208
47.4 EB05 32.7 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=21not reported in cached trials

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

✓ Trial adverse-event data found on ClinicalTrials.gov

Largest completed trials with posted results that list Heparin as a study intervention. The right-hand column of the signal table shows whether each FAERS term was also recorded in these trials, with a real denominator (5 of 40 signal terms matched).

Caveats: trial populations, doses and follow-up differ from the reporting population; AE terms are sponsor-coded and matched here by wording; absence from a trial list means the term was not reported above the sponsor's frequency threshold, not that it cannot occur.

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia1,273533.2
501.3–567.1ROR 587.8 · χ² 499,663 / p <1e-300
392.1 EB05 374.4 · IC025 +8.3
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious n=1,204 · 96% clinicianNCT00986154: 1/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Drug ineffective (drug did not work)1,0001.2
1.1–1.2ROR 1.2 · χ² 25 / p 3e-7
1.2 EB05 1.1 · IC025 +0.1Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.4 · 93% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Off label use (used outside approved label)7571.3
1.2–1.4ROR 1.4 · χ² 67 / p 1e-16
1.3 EB05 1.3 · IC025 +0.3Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.7not reported in cached trials
Nausea7451.4
1.4–1.6ROR 1.5 · χ² 107 / p 2e-25
1.4 EB05 1.4 · IC025 +0.4Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.6NCT00986154: 1/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Vomiting6102.0
1.8–2.2ROR 2.0 · χ² 309 / p 2e-69
2.0 EB05 1.9 · IC025 +0.9Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.8NCT00986154: 1/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)5624.3
4.0–4.7ROR 4.5 · χ² 1,436 / p <1e-300
4.3 EB05 4.0 · IC025 +2.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.9NCT00986154: 2/4,122 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)5481.5
1.4–1.6ROR 1.5 · χ² 89 / p 2e-21
1.5 EB05 1.4 · IC025 +0.4Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.2NCT00986154: 6/4,122 (0.1%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Pulmonary embolism (lung blood clot)5008.1
7.4–8.8ROR 8.3 · χ² 3,087 / p <1e-300
8.0 EB05 7.4 · IC025 +2.8
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious PRR 5.8 · 94% clinicianNCT02984384: 90/6,110 (1.5%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Sepsis (blood infection)4906.8
6.2–7.4ROR 7.0 · χ² 2,401 / p <1e-300
6.7 EB05 6.2 · IC025 +2.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 4.9 · 91% clinicianNCT00986154: 10/4,122 (0.2%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Anaemia (low red blood cells)4793.9
3.5–4.2ROR 4.0 · χ² 1,017 / p 2e-223
3.8 EB05 3.6 · IC025 +1.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 3.0 · 93% clinicianNCT00986154: 13/4,122 (0.3%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Abdominal pain4783.2
2.9–3.4ROR 3.2 · χ² 709 / p 2e-156
3.1 EB05 2.9 · IC025 +1.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.7 · ♀ 25% (drug 46%)NCT00986154: 5/4,118 (0.1%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)4716.5
5.9–7.1ROR 6.7 · χ² 2,189 / p <1e-300
6.4 EB05 6.0 · IC025 +2.5
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 4.7 · 90% clinicianNCT00986154: 1/4,118 (0.0%) on Heparin (serious AE)
Thrombosis4378.3
7.6–9.2ROR 8.6 · χ² 2,814 / p <1e-300
8.3 EB05 7.6 · IC025 +2.9
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious PRR 6.0NCT02984384: 103/6,110 (1.7%) on Heparin (serious AE)

Unlabeled candidate signals

These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.

✓ A hand-written Bradford Hill causality assessment exists for this drug: Heparin ↔ Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).

Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.

Common questions

What are the most reported side effects of Heparin?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Heparin are heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, nausea, drug hypersensitivity, vomiting, hypotension, dyspnoea. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.

Does Heparin have an FDA boxed warning?

No. The FDA label retrieved for Heparin has no boxed warning; see the label's Warnings and Precautions for the recognised risks.

Do FAERS signals prove that Heparin causes these side effects?

No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.

Sources & methods

Page generated 2026-10-08. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.