Canusal 100 I.U./ml flushing solution for maintenance of patency of intravenous devices or Heparin Sodium 100 I.U./ml flushing solution for maintenance of patency of intravenous devices.

Heparin sodium 100 I.U./ml (200 I.U. in 2ml)

For excipients see 6.1

Flushing solution for maintenance of patency of intravenous devices

A colourless or straw coloured liquid, free from turbidity and from matter that deposits on standing.

Heparin is an anticoagulant and acts by potentiating the naturally occurring inhibitors of thrombin and factor X (Xa).

Heparin Sodium 100 I.U./ml Flushing Solution is indicated in any clinical circumstances in which it is desired to flush an intravenous catheter or cannula with a low concentration of heparin to ensure patency prior to administration of an intravenous injection.

Not recommended for systemic use.

For cleaning indwelling cannulae.

Material to be used as an intravascular cannula or catheter flush in doses of 200 units every 4 hours or as required.

Do not use when there is established hypersensitivity to heparin.

Caution should be exercised in patients with known hypersensitivity to low molecular weight heparins.

Rigorous aseptic technique should be observed at all times in its use.

Platelet counts should be measured in patients receiving heparin flushes for longer than five days (or earlier in patients with previous exposure to heparin). In those who develop thrombocytopenia or paradoxical thrombosis, heparin should immediately be eliminated from all flushes and ports.

Repeated flushing of a catheter device with heparin may result in a systemic anticoagulant effect.

When an indwelling device is used for repeated withdrawal of blood samples for laboratory analyses and the presence of heparin or saline is likely to interfere with or alter results of the desired blood tests, the in situ heparin flush solution should be cleared from the device by aspirating and discarding a volume of solution equivalent to that of the indwelling venipuncture device before the desired blood sample is taken.

The safety of Heparin Sodium 100 I.U./ml Flushing Solution in pregnancy is not established, but the dose of heparin involved would not be expected to constitute a hazard.

Heparin does not appear in breast milk.

None stated.

Used as directed, it is extremely unlikely that the low levels of heparin reaching the blood will have any systemic effect. However, there have been rare reports of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in patients receiving heparin flushes (see also Section 4.4, Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Hypersensitivity reactions to heparin are rare. They include urticaria, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, asthma, cyanosis, tachypnoea, feeling of oppression, fever, chills, angioneurotic oedema and anaphylactic shock.

Not applicable

Heparin Sodium 100 I.U./ml Flushing Solution, containing only 200 I.U. of sodium heparin per ampoule (2ml), is used for flushing indwelling cannulae. This is unlikely to produce blood levels of heparin having any systemic effect.

None stated

There are no pre-clinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to those already included in other sections.

Sodium chloride

Water for injections

Hydrochloric acid 3M

Sodium hydroxide 3M

Heparin and reteplase are incompatible when combined in solution.

Amikacin sulphate, gentamicin sulphate, netilmicin sulphate, pethidine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride and tobramycin sulphate.

If reteplase and heparin are to be given through the same line this, together with any Y-lines, must be thoroughly flushed with a 0.9% saline or a 5% glucose solution prior to and following the reteplase injection.

Unopened – 36 months

From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of opening precludes the risk of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately.

If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.

Do not store above 25^oC

Store in the original package

2ml clear glass ampoules

Not applicable

Wockhardt UK Ltd

Ash Road North

Wrexham

LL13 9UF

UK.

PL 29831/0111

11 September 2007

August 2008