From the FDA Drug Label
• Others - Osteoporosis following long-term administration of high doses of heparin, cutaneous necrosis after systemic administration, suppression of aldosterone synthesis, delayed transient alopecia, priapism, and rebound hyperlipemia on discontinuation of heparin sodium have also been reported.
The answer to whether heparin can lower down lipids in blood is no, as the label mentions rebound hyperlipemia on discontinuation of heparin sodium, suggesting that heparin may actually increase lipid levels when stopped, but does not indicate that it lowers lipid levels. 1
From the Research
Heparin is not typically used to lower lipid levels in the blood, as its primary purpose is to prevent blood clot formation by inhibiting several factors in the coagulation cascade. While heparin can temporarily release lipoprotein lipase from the endothelium, which may transiently affect triglyceride levels, this is not its primary purpose or indication. For lowering blood lipids, healthcare providers typically prescribe medications specifically designed for this purpose, such as statins (like atorvastatin or rosuvastatin), fibrates (like fenofibrate), bile acid sequestrants, PCSK9 inhibitors, or ezetimibe. These lipid-lowering medications work through various mechanisms including inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, increasing LDL receptor activity, or reducing cholesterol absorption. However, a study from 1998 2 found that low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may be beneficial to lipid control in hyperlipidemic diabetic patients on hemodialysis, with a 34% reduction in triglyceride, a 26.2% reduction in VLDL, and a 19% reduction of total cholesterol/HDL ratio at the 6th month. But, this effect is not the primary indication for heparin use, and more recent studies do not support the use of heparin as a primary treatment for lowering lipid levels. In fact, a more recent study from 2023 3 discusses the effects of statins on blood clotting, highlighting the importance of statins in preventing thromboembolic events, but does not mention heparin as a treatment for lowering lipid levels. Therefore, heparin is not recommended as a primary treatment for lowering lipid levels in the blood, and other medications specifically designed for this purpose should be used instead. Some key points to consider when treating patients with high lipid levels include:
- Using medications specifically designed to lower lipid levels, such as statins or fibrates
- Monitoring patients' lipid profiles regularly to assess the effectiveness of treatment
- Considering the use of LMWH in specific patient populations, such as hyperlipidemic diabetic patients on hemodialysis, but only as an adjunct to primary lipid-lowering therapy.