These side effects often complicate treatment and increase the overall cost of care. Thrombocytopenia, bleeding events, and osteopenia are the 3 most common drug-related problems associated with heparin and LMWH therapy. UFH and LMWH therapy are associated with a high rate of drug-related problems and side effects due to either their inherent pharmacological properties or human errors. When complications do occur, physicians have to be candid with the patient and treat the complications rather than trying to conceal them. Because heparins are usually given in life threatening situations where time is critical, the facts should be presented clearly with the risk-benefit analysis concisely conveyed to the patient and family. The possible side effects of therapy should be told to the patients and their families before these agents are administered. Hence it is important to do a risk-benefit analysis before prescribing them to patients. But there is a potential for many side effects with the use of these agents. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are important, lifesaving pharmacotherapeutic agents for those with disorders such as coronary artery disease and other ischemic coronary events, atrial fibrillation, heart valve diseases, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis.

Heparin half life