Thrombosis refers to the intravital formation of blood clots or blood clots inside blood vessels. They impede the free movement of plasma through the human circulatory system, which can lead to disastrous consequences.
In case of vascular damage, the body uses fibrin and platelets to form a kind of “cork” that prevents blood loss. However, under certain conditions, blood clots form without any damage to the vessels. When a clot covers more than 75% of the entire area of the arterial lumen, the flow of oxygen to the tissues decreases so much that the patient has signs of accumulation of metabolic products in the body and hypoxia.
Specialists identify the following factors that contribute to the development of thrombosis:
- damage to the walls of blood vessels;
- blood composition (thrombophilia or hypercoagulation);
- the nature of the blood flow (turbulence, stasis).
What drugs are used for thrombosis? One of the most popular products is Heparin-Akrikhin 1000 gel. Instructions for the use of this medication, its composition, pharmacological characteristics, side effects and other information are presented below.
Composition, packaging of the drug, its description
"Heparin-Akrikhin" - a gel intended for external use. Such a remedy is a mass that is transparent or almost transparent, colorless or with a slightly yellowish tint, with a specific odor.
What are the components of Heparin-Akrikhin? The composition of this tool includes such an active component as sodium heparin. As excipients, the preparation under consideration contains: methyl parahydroxybenzoate, lavender oil, carbomer, purified water, trometamol, 96% ethanol (rectified ethyl alcohol), orange blossom oil (or neroli oil).
Heparin-Akrikhin gel comes on sale in aluminum tubes, which are placed in packs of cardboard.
Pharmacological features
What is sodium heparin? The active component of the agent in question is a direct-acting anticoagulant. It refers to medium molecular weight heparins. Once in the blood plasma, this substance is able to activate antithrombin III, thereby increasing its anticoagulant properties.
A gel with sodium heparin inhibits thrombin activity, disrupts the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, and also reduces platelet aggregation (to some extent).
Other properties
What other properties are inherent in the Heparin-Akrikhin preparation? According to the instructions, such a medication is able to increase renal blood flow, increase the resistance of cerebral vessels, reduce the activity of hyaluronidase, activate lipoprotein lipase and exhibit lipid-lowering effects. In addition, the drug in question well reduces the activity of surfactant in the patient’s pulmonary system, overwhelmingly affects the synthesis of aldosterone in the adrenal cortex, increases the activity of parathyroid hormone, binds adrenaline, and also modulates the response of the ovaries to hormone stimuli.
When interacting with enzymes, such a medication can increase the activity of pepsinogen, tyrosine hydroxylase of the brain, DNA polymerase and reduce the activity of pyruvate kinase, myosin ATPase, pepsin and RNA polymerase. There is also information about the presence of immunosuppressive activity in the gel with sodium heparin.
Impact Features
How does the drug “Heparin-Akrikhin” affect the patient’s body? In people with coronary heart disease (in combination with ASA), the use of such a drug reduces the risk of developing thrombosis of (acute) coronary arteries, sudden death, and myocardial infarction. Also, the use of this medication reduces the frequency of deaths and repeated heart attacks. In high doses, the gel in question is effective for venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and in small doses it is actively used for the prevention of venous thromboembolism, including after surgical interventions.
When applied externally, “Heparin-Akrikhin” has a local antiexudative, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory (moderate) effect. Such a drug inhibits the activity of hyaluronidase in a depressing manner, blocks the formation of thrombin, and also activates the fibrinolytic properties of plasma.
Heparin, penetrating through the skin, reduces inflammation and has an antithrombotic effect. Also, this substance activates tissue metabolism and improves microcirculation, due to which it accelerates the processes of resorption of blood clots and hematomas, and reduces swelling of tissues.
Pharmacokinetic properties
A small amount of the active substance of the drug is absorbed from the surface of the skin into the systemic circulation. At the same time, its maximum concentration is observed 8 hours after application.
Excretion of heparin sodium occurs through the renal system. The half-life of the drug is 12 hours. Due to the large molecular weight, the active component of the gel penetrates poorly through the placenta, and also does not pass into breast milk.
Indications for appointment
What is Heparin-Akrikhin used for? Indications for the use of this tool are the following conditions (for prevention and therapy):
- deep vein thrombosis;
- thrombophlebitis;
- pulmonary embolism (especially in diseases of the peripheral veins);
- DIC;
- coronary artery thrombosis;
- acute myocardial infarction;
- unstable angina pectoris;
- atrial fibrillation (especially accompanied by embolism);
- disturbances in microcirculation, microthrombosis;
- bacterial endocarditis;
- renal vein thrombosis;
- hemolyticouremic syndrome;
- glomerulonephritis;
- mitral heart disease, thrombosis;
- lupus nephritis.
Also, the medication in question is prescribed for the prevention of blood coagulation during surgical interventions using extracorporeal blood circulation methods, during hemosorption, hemodialysis, forced diuresis, peritoneal dialysis, cytapheresis, and during venous catheter lavage.
Sometimes such a preparation is necessary for the preparation of non-clotting blood samples during transfusion and for laboratory purposes.
Prohibitions for the appointment of the gel for external use
When can’t you use Heparin-Akrikhin? Contraindications to the use of such a remedy are the following conditions:
- bleeding, antiphospholipid syndrome, diseases that are accompanied by a violation of the coagulation process;
- erosive and ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract, intracranial hemorrhage or suspicion of it, cerebral aneurysm;
- an aortic aneurysm, exfoliating, hemorrhagic stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, accompanied by varicose veins, malignant arterial hypertension;
- subacute bacterial endocarditis, high sensitivity to heparin, severe liver parenchyma lesions, shock conditions;
- malignant neoplasms in the esophagus and liver, threatening miscarriage, recent operations on the eyes, prostate, brain, biliary tract, liver, menstruation, condition after spinal puncture, childbirth (recent).
It should also be noted that the Heparin-Akrikhin gel is not used for ulcerative necrotic processes and is not applied to mucous membranes and open wounds.
Topical dosage
The dosage of the drug in question is individual and depends on the clinical situation, indications and age of the patient. The gel is applied externally with a thin layer (based on 3-5 cm gel on the skin area with a diameter of up to 3-5 cm) and gently rubbed.
Use the medication 1-3 times a day daily until the inflammatory effects are completely eliminated. The terms of treatment are determined by specialists (on average from 3 days to one week).
Side effects
What negative consequences can the use of the drug “Heparin-Akrikhin" cause? Side effects of this tool include:
- nausea, bleeding of the urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract, flushing of the skin, bleeding in areas that are under pressure (from surgical wounds), sensation of heat in the soles, hematuria, decreased appetite, thrombocytopenia;
- vomiting, drug fever, pruritus, diarrhea, bronchospasm, increased activity of hepatic transaminases, collapse, osteoporosis;
- urticaria, spontaneous fractures, rhinitis, soft tissue calcification, anaphylactic shock, thrombocytopenia, skin necrosis, irritation at the site of application, arterial thrombosis;
- transient alopecia, gangrene, hyperemia, myocardial infarction, hematoma, stroke, hypoaldosteronism, pain and ulceration at the site of application.
Heparin-Akrikhin: drug interaction
Thyroxine, ergot alkaloids, antihistamines, nicotine and tetracycline reduce the effects of sodium heparin.
The anticoagulant properties of Heparin-Akrikhin are enhanced with the simultaneous use of antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants and NSAIDs.
Overdose cases
What can be the consequences of an overdose of Heparin-Akrikhina? According to the instructions, an overdose, especially for external use, is unlikely due to the low absorption of the gel components. However, in some cases, excessive application of the medication is accompanied by increased bleeding. In such situations, it is better to refuse the use of the drug (bleeding is removed by means of a chemical antagonist).
It is important to know everyone!
With special care, the drug in question should be prescribed to people suffering from polyvalent allergies, as well as with arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dental procedures, active tuberculosis, endocarditis, radiation therapy, pericarditis, the presence of intrauterine contraceptives, liver failure, chronic renal failure, in elderly patients .
With caution, the Heparin-Akrikhin gel is used externally for thrombocytopenia and increased bleeding.
During the period of heparin treatment, monitoring of blood coagulation process indicators is required.
The risk of bleeding can be minimized by careful assessment of contraindications to the use of the gel, adequate dosage and regular monitoring of the blood coagulation process.