Alprostadil and Heparin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Heparin
No brand names on recordAlprostadil
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
An increased risk of bleeding
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of heparin and alprostadil may result in increases in the partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time2.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) When heparin (5000 IU) and alprostadil intravenous infusion (90 mcg over three hours) were coadministered to 12 healthy volunteers, a 140% increase in the partial thromboplastin time and a 120% increase in the thrombin time was observed 1.
Common questions
Can I take Alprostadil and Heparin together?
An increased risk of bleeding Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Alprostadil and Heparin interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Alprostadil or Heparin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (2)
Keep reading about Heparin
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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