Heparin SC admin

Does heparin sc supposed to burn? I've had a few pt say it does. I always admin in the abdomen and grasps the fatty part between my thumb and pointer finger. Some of my pt say they don't feel a thing. Is this individualized to each pt or is it my technique?

[leslie :-D]

heparin is known to be irritating and is a common side effect of sc administration.

leslie

[HURN, BSN, RN]

Thanks. Never thought to look up it's side effects.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Many SQ and IM meds burn. I think part of it has to do with the puncture/procedure itself...

cheers,

[chaschata]

Last time I was in the hospital the doctor ordered Heparin, prior hospitalizations I always received Lovenox. The Heparin burned like heck, the first thing I did was to rub it and that was a big mistake, it took the burning sensation to a whole new level. The other difference I noticed was the bruising was larger and much darker, almost black where I had received the Heparin. With Lovenox I get the bruising but nowhere to the extent in size and color as with Heparin.

[leslie :-D]

Many SQ and IM meds burn. I think part of it has to do with the puncture/procedure itself...

cheers,

not understanding this, roy...

unless the needle is blunted and has to be changed.

otherwise, drug reference books will clearly state if irritation/phlebitis/dermatitis/burning etc are expected at injection site.

even if one is completely inept, it still wouldn't cause disproportionate sensation.

leslie

[LovingNurse, BSN, RN]

not understanding this, roy...

unless the needle is blunted and has to be changed.

otherwise, drug reference books will clearly state if irritation/phlebitis/dermatitis/burning etc are expected at injection site.

even if one is completely inept, it still wouldn't cause disproportionate sensation.

leslie

I have some patients tell me it hurts when some nurses give it, so I wonder if there is something to their procedure as well sometimes... whether maybe they're doing the injection with alcohol still wet on the skin or injecting the volume *really* fast or what - I dunno.

[manncer]

Heparin burning is a common side effect.

drug reference books will clearly state if irritation/phlebitis/dermatitis/burning etc are expected at injection site.

Reference books mean phlebitis, etc. That occurs in venous administration.

Using ice on the injection site for 5 minutes can help.

[mscsrjhm]

Last time I was in the hospital the doctor ordered Heparin, prior hospitalizations I always received Lovenox. The Heparin burned like heck, the first thing I did was to rub it and that was a big mistake, it took the burning sensation to a whole new level. The other difference I noticed was the bruising was larger and much darker, almost black where I had received the Heparin. With Lovenox I get the bruising but nowhere to the extent in size and color as with Heparin.

The nurse administering the medication should have informed you not to rub the site.

Hear it all the time "no one told me not to rub".

[leslie :-D]

I have some patients tell me it hurts when some nurses give it, so I wonder if there is something to their procedure as well sometimes... whether maybe they're doing the injection with alcohol still wet on the skin or injecting the volume *really* fast or what - I dunno.

i know that some have better technique and may perhaps ease any adverse effects.

but if a solution is irrating, technique is basically irrelevant...

regardless of how adept one is, no getting around the pain associated w/certain sc meds, i.e., neupogen, epogen, heparin...

Heparin burning is a common side effect.

Reference books mean phlebitis, etc. That occurs in venous administration.

Using ice on the injection site for 5 minutes can help.

i wasn't specifically talking about heparin, but any parenteral med that's irritating.

reference books will always name the potential derm effects.

and no, never rub heparin sites.

keep pressure on x 1 minute s/p injection.

leslie

[tri-rn]

Does anyone know the reason that heparin is usually given in the abdomen?

Recently I had a pt whose abd was so incredibly distended that I couldn't even pinch up a skin fold. We called the pharmacy but the best they could tell us was that all of thier information said to give it "above the iliac crest". We wondered why it couldn't be given in the arm, since it's SQ, but none of us really knew the answer.

Thanks!

[manncer]

Heparin is a adsorbed best from the abdomen, then thigh, then deltoid . If the patient is really obese, then the thigh can be used, and then the deltoid,All are OK, all will work if necessary.