# Catheter lock solutions (heparin, taurolidine and DefenCath)

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/catheter-lock-solutions/  
OnCo record `catheter-lock-solutions` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

A small volume of liquid left inside a central line or port between uses to stop it clotting and, in some products, to kill bacteria. The one American antimicrobial lock approved so far is licensed only for kidney dialysis lines, not cancer lines.

## Summary

Between uses a central line or port is filled with a lock solution so blood does not clot in it. DefenCath, a combination of taurolidine, an antimicrobial, and heparin, was approved by the FDA on 15 November 2023 (NDA 214520, CorMedix). Its label limits it: "LIMITED POPULATION: DEFENCATH is indicated to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in adult patients with kidney failure receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD) through a central venous catheter (CVC)", and "The safety and effectiveness of DEFENCATH have not been established for use in populations other than" those patients. For cancer ports and PICCs, any antimicrobial lock is therefore off-label in the United States; this record does not grade the oncology evidence.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: established
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: Lock solution; Catheter lock; Taurolidine lock; DefenCath; Taurolidine and heparin
- Tags: devices-gaps-2026-11
- Principle: The catheter's internal volume is filled and left closed; an anticoagulant prevents clot and an antimicrobial agent reduces bacterial colonisation of the catheter lumen.
- Since: 2023
- Strengths: Keeps lines patent between uses; An approved antimicrobial lock exists for dialysis catheters
- Limitations: DefenCath is not approved for cancer catheters; Heparin carries bleeding and heparin-allergy risks

## Sources

- Drugs@FDA: DefenCath, NDA 214520: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=214520
- DailyMed: DefenCath label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=13b3a61e-5a4b-4afb-8fa1-d76ebdb344d6

## Connected records

- fronts: [Devices & Physical Therapies](https://onco.cc/fronts/devices/), [Supportive Care & Survivorship](https://onco.cc/fronts/supportive-care/)
- technologies: [Implanted ports for chemotherapy (port-a-cath, power-injectable, apheresis and intraperitoneal ports)](https://onco.cc/technologies/implanted-ports/), [Infusion pumps, ports, and ambulatory chemotherapy devices](https://onco.cc/technologies/infusion-devices-vascular-access/), [Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines)](https://onco.cc/technologies/picc-lines/)
- terms: [Central venous access (port, PICC line)](https://onco.cc/terms/central-venous-access/)

---
JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/catheter-lock-solutions.json