How to Administer Heparin Injections with Less Pain, Bruising, and Swelling

Heparin is an anticoagulant drug that you can administer to yourself via subcutaneous injection into the fatty areas of the body. Most people inject this drug into the abdominal area or upper thighs, although the abdominal area seems to be less painful.

If you are taking heparin, then your main goal is to help prevent new blood clots from forming. Chances are you either have a n existing blood clot or have another condition or situation that may lead to the formation of a blood clot.

Certain medical conditions, such as inherited blood disorders or mutations, may contribute to an individual's need to take heparin. Other medical situations may include a surgery where mobility is limited post-op or other injury that restricts how much exercise you get. If your legs are stationary for long periods of time, you are at risk to develop a blood clot.

In my case, I had to take heparin shots two times each day for nearly a year - 9 months of pregnancy plus 6 weeks post-partum to help reduce my risk of developing blood clots in my body, the umbilical cord, or the baby. I had to take heparin due to an inherited blood mutation known as Factor V Leiden and due to my history of spontaneous DVT (a deep blood clot in the leg).

As a result of these numerous injections, I found ways to minimize the incredible burning pain from the medication as well as keeping the swelling and bruising to a minimum. When I first began giving myself injections, I did develop large quarter-sized area of deep purple bruising and painful swelling.

For people who have never had heparin injections, it may be difficult to understand why your loved one despises getting this medication. It is administered via a very small needle much like a diabetic needle. The needle poke itself really does not hurt; rather, it is the medication that burns painfully as it is being injected.

Ways to Minimize Injection Site Pain, Bruising, and Swelling

1. If you can, have another person administer the injection for you. I found that another person who administered the medication tended to be quicker, and less nervous, which led to less painful irritation at the injection site. Of course, eventually there may come a time when you have to administer the medication yourself so you do need to learn how to injection the medication properly.

2. Ice the injection site for 3 to 5 minutes before administering the medication. This step really helped me because the ice numbs your skin and helps to reduce both the pain as well as the bruising. I applied an ice cube directly to my abdominal area.

3. Align the needle so that it pokes straight into your skin perpendicularly. If you angle the needle, I've found the medication tends to hurt more as it is being injected.

4. Inject the medication quickly. The needle poke itself does not hurt. It's the medication that causes the pain so if you inject it quickly then the pain tends to subside faster.

If you do need to take heparin injections, please remember to take all your doses as prescribed by your doctor. It can be very easy to "miss" injections because you may fear and dread the pain. However, from my own personal experience, these shots are much less painful in the long run than if you do develop a blood clot.