Drug Incompatibilities During Hemodialysis?

Specialties Urology

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Hi, I am new to Dialysis and have a question related to Heparin. (In the machines we use, we place the heparin syringe in it and it gives the stating bolus, then we programit to give whats ordered, usually 500 units or 1000 units hourly)

my question is in regard to drug incompatabilities with the heparin. We also give Vanco during the last hour of the treatment. When I looked these up, it was clear that these two meds are incompatible (in a Y site)..... Are dialysis bloodline tubing that much different than IV tubing that its ok to give these meds together?

2 nurses with alot of experience and also the nurse manager told me that this is how weve always done it. I would like to know if there is a resource for drug incompatibilities specifically for hemodialysis bloodline tubing. I have done quite a few searches already and cant find anything specific to hemodialysis. This makes me think that there is no difference in the tubing (IV vs Dialysis)

Any help here would be appriciated!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Heparin is stopped during the last hour of HD and Vanco is then given - so there is no incompatibility.

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Yes, that's true for our pts with fistulas. But our pts that have catheters, we run the heparin through the entire treatment, including the lady hour- that they are also getting the vanco.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm still curious if there is a reference specifically to the dialysis bloodline tubing?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmm - I'll ask today to see if the nurses know of one....

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Specializes in Nephro-Dialysis / Intervention Radio.

I've looked up if there are any interactions between the 2 drugs thru Epocrates for iPhone, and it said "no significant interaction."

The role of the blood tubing is a big question mark though.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

I'm not sure where you looked it up, but heparin and vanco are compatible in most normal concentrations. Not sure what if any role the type of tubing would play into it though.

Stability of heparin and physical compatibility of heparin/antibiotic solutions in concentrations appropriate for antibiotic lock therapy

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Thank you very much for the info!

I looked this up in Davis' drug book and another drug book (unsure the name) and they both had vanco incompatible ( at the y site) with heparin)

I

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