What medication is typically administered to a hemodialysis patient during dialysis treatment?

Heparin is administered intravenously during hemodialysis to prevent clotting of blood in the extracorporeal circuit. Heparin works by potentiating antithrombin III, which inactivates thrombin and factor Xa. In dental patients on dialysis, it is important to schedule dental procedures on non-dialysis days or after dialysis (when heparin effect has waned, typically within 4-6 hours). This is because residual heparin effect can increase bleeding risk during dental procedures. Warfarin is sometimes used in dialysis patients for other indications but is not the medication administered during dialysis itself.