Difference Between Heparin and Warfarin

What’s Heparin?

Heparin is a direct anticoagulant. It belongs to thrombin inhibitors and is a significant software for the remedy of arterial and venous thromboses of various etiology.

Heparin is a combination of excessive molecular weight sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

It’s most frequently used subcutaneously or intravenously. After oral consumption, it’s inactive and shouldn’t be absorbed.

Due to its massive molecule, the heparin doesn’t cross the placental barrier and shouldn’t be excreted in breast milk. It’s efficient and protected to be used throughout being pregnant and lactation.

Heparin is biotransformed and disposed of within the liver and is eradicated from the physique by the kidneys.

Heparin is used for remedy and prophylaxis of:

  • deep vein thrombosis,
  • pulmonary thromboembolism,
  • throughout surgical interventions in threat sufferers,
  • acute myocardial infarction,
  • upkeep remedy following fibrinolytic remedy with streptokinase, and so forth.

One of many critical side effects of heparin is the event of thrombocytopenia.

Throughout long-term heparin remedy, the next unwanted side effects might be anticipated:

  •  bleeding,
  • hair loss and alopecia,
  • osteoporosis and spontaneous fractures,
  • hypersensitivity reactions occurring most frequently with urticaria, fever, redness.

Low doses pose a threat of activation of thrombosis processes, whereas overdose is prone to develop hemorrhages.

What’s Warfarin?

Warfarin (4-hydroxycoumarins) is an oblique anticoagulant. After oral consumption, warfarin is quickly and fully absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Warfarin is used for remedy and prophylaxis of:

Warfarin is metabolized within the liver and has a protracted plasma half-life, which predisposes to cumulation and improvement of poisonous reactions.

The principle impact of warfarin is inhibition in blood clotting.

It falls into Danger class X, which signifies that the danger of its use significantly exceeds the anticipated profit.

It ejects with the breast milk and passes by means of the placental barrier.

When utilizing this preparation throughout being pregnant a attribute dysmorphism develops. Quite a lot of organs and programs are affected, primarily the central nervous system, the locomotory system, the cardiovascular system, the eyes.

The medical impact happens after 12 to 72 hours.

The principle indications for using warfarin embody prophylaxis of venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Additionally it is used after a myocardial infarction, to stop a recurrence of the situation, and after heparin remedy.

Throughout remedy, periodic monitoring of sure parameters is required as a result of small distinction between the maximal therapeutic and minimal poisonous dose. There’s a vital threat of overdosage and improvement of intoxication.

The low dose may cause thrombosis, whereas overdose causes hemorrhages. A selected antidote and antagonist of warfarin is vitamin Ok.

Throughout long-term warfarin remedy, the next unwanted side effects might be anticipated:

  •  bleeding,
  • hair loss and alopecia,
  • nausea, stomach ache,
  • fatigue, headache, dizziness,
  • issues from the respiratory system, trachea or tracheal-bronchial calcification (very uncommon),
  • pores and skin rash, pruritus, dermatitis, vasculitis.

With extended consumption, the preparation is hepatotoxic and results in impairment of liver operate.

The impact of warfarin is enhanced by cimetidine, chloramphenicol, metronidazole, some broad-spectrum antibiotics. A lower within the impact is brought on by barbiturates, estrogens, vitamin Ok, cholestyramine.

Difference Between Heparin and Warfarin

  1. Definition of Heparin and Warfarin

Heparin: Heparin is a direct anticoagulant. It’s a combination of excessive molecular weight sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

Warfarin: Warfarin is an oblique anticoagulant. It’s an organic compound (4-hydroxycoumarins).

  1. Mechanism of motion for Heparin and Warfarin

Heparin: Prevents the right work of fibrin and thrombin. 

Warfarin: Prevents the right work of vitamin Ok.

  1. Velocity of motion in Heparin and Warfarin  

Heparin: Heparin works quicker than warfarin. It’s endorsed when an instantaneous impact is required.

Warfarin: Warfarin works slower than heparin. The medical impact happens after 12 to 72 hours. It’s endorsed for a long-term remedy.

  1. Type of Heparin and Warfarin  

Heparin: Heparin is given as an injection (subcutaneously or intravenously). After oral consumption, it’s inactive and shouldn’t be absorbed.

Warfarin: Warfarin is utilized in pill kind. After oral consumption, warfarin is quickly and fully absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

  1. Being pregnant and breastfeeding 

Heparin: Due to its massive molecule, heparin doesn’t cross the placental barrier and shouldn’t be excreted in breast milk, making it efficient and protected to be used throughout being pregnant and throughout lactation. 

Warfarin: Warfarin penetrates within the breast milk and passes by means of the placental barrier. The usage of this preparation throughout being pregnant results in the event of a attribute dysmorphism.

Comparability desk for Heparin vs. Warfarin

Abstract of  distinction between Heparin and Warfarin  

  • Heparin and warfarin are each used as anticoagulants, as a way to lower the event of blood clots.
  • Heparin is a direct anticoagulant. It’s a combination of excessive molecular weight sulfated mucopolysaccharides.
  • Warfarin is an oblique anticoagulant. It’s an organic compound (4-hydroxycoumarins).
  • The low dose of each anticoagulants may cause thrombosis, whereas overdose causes hemorrhages.
  • Heparin prevents the right work of fibrin and thrombin, whereas warfarin prevents the right work of vitamin Ok.
  • Heparin works quick and is really helpful when an instantaneous impact is required. The medical impact of warfarin happens after 12 to 72 hours. It’s endorsed for a long-term remedy.
  • Heparin is given as an injection, whereas warfarin is utilized in pill kind.
  • Due to its massive molecule, heparin doesn’t cross the placental barrier and shouldn’t be excreted in breast milk, making it efficient and protected to be used throughout being pregnant and throughout lactation. Warfarin penetrates into the breast milk and passes by means of the placental barrier, inflicting a attribute dysmorphism.

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