Heparin belongs to a class of medications known as anticoagulants or blood thinners, according to Drugs.com. Heparin prevents the formation of blood clots by blocking reactions in the body that lead to blood clots. Fish oil is obtained from eating fish or taking supplements. Fish oil should not be used together with heparin as dangerous side effects could occur, according to MedlinePlus.
Increased Risk of Bleeding
Combining fish oil with heparin and other anticoagulants further increase the risk of bleeding, including dangerous internal bleeding, according to MedlinePlus. Anticoagulants thin the blood and increase the risk of internal bleeding. Using fish oil together with blood thinners may cause patients to be at increased risk of abnormal internal bleeding. Patients taking heparin should consult with their doctors before taking fish oil.
Upset Stomach
Patients taking heparin and fish oil may experience upset stomach. Fish oil may cause nausea, heartburn and diarrhea, according to MedlinePlus. Heparin increases the risk of stomach irritation and bleeding, according to Drugs.com. Taking fish oil together with heparin may worsen gastrointestinal side effects.
Lowered Immunity
High doses of fish oil may lower the activities of the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight infections, according to MedlinePlus. Heparin causes the blood to form clots slowly. As such, patients who experience cuts while taking heparin and fish oil may be at risk for increased and/or serious infections.
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