Therapeutic Action
Anticoagulant By IV injection: acts immediately for about 2 to 4 hours SC injection: acts within 1 hour for about 8 to 12 hours
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Drug reference
Anticoagulant By IV injection: acts immediately for about 2 to 4 hours SC injection: acts within 1 hour for about 8 to 12 hours
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Venous and arterial thrombosis: pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, thrombophlebitis Prevention of venous and arterial thrombosis, especially in pre-operative and postoperative period and in patients on bedrest
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Do not administer if: haemorrhage or risk of haemorrhage: haemophilia, active peptic ulcer, acute bacterial endocarditis, severe hypertension; in postoperative period after neurosurgery or ophtalmic surgery; thrombocytopenia or history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Do not administer by IM route. SC injections must be made deep into abdominal fat, between umbilicus and iliac crest. Intramuscular or intra-arterial injections and infiltrations are contra-indicated during heparin therapy. May cause: severe thrombocytopenia, usually after 5 days of heparin, with thrombo-embolic complications requiring discontinuation of treatment; localised reactions at the injection site, rarely, necrosis; allergic reactions, osteoporosis after prolonged use, alopecia; haemorrhage in case of overdosage, pre-existing lesions, trauma. Use with caution and reduce dosage in elderly patients and in hepatic or renal failure. Overdosage: neutralise heparin by slow IV injection of protamine. 1 mg protamine neutralises 100 IU of heparin. Reduce doses of protamine if more than 15 minutes has elapsed since heparin administration. Laboratory tests: Monitor coagulation parameters in order to adjust dose. Partial thromboplastin time should be maintained at 1.5 to 2 times the control value (Howell's test at 2 to 3 times the control value). Monitor platelet count prior to initiation of treatment and then 2 times per week. Avoid combination with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: increased risk of haemorrhage. Closely monitor clinical and biological parameters in case of combination with corticosteroids, dextran, and transition to an oral anticoagulant. Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED at the end of pregnancy (risk of haemorrhage during delivery) Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
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1000 IU in 1 ml ampoule (1000 IU/ml) and 5000 IU in 1 ml ampoule (5000 IU/ml) for IV injection or infusion, diluted in an isotonic solution of glucose or sodium chloride 25 000 IU in 1 ml ampoule (25 000 IU/ml) for SC injection Also comes in various concentrations (500 IU, 12 500 IU, 20 000 IU/ml) and volumes (0.5 ml, 2 ml, 5 ml). Check label before use.
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Curative treatment By IV route Child and adult: initial dose of 50 to 100 IU/kg followed by 400 to 600 IU/kg daily, by continuous infusion over 24 hours or by IV injection every 2 to 4 hours. Adjust dosage according to coagulation tests. By SC route Child and adult: 1 SC injection every 12 hours. Start with an initial dose of 250 IU/kg and adjust dosage according to coagulation tests. Preventive treatment Usually: 5000 IU by SC injection 2 hours before surgery, repeated every 8 to 12 hours. Dosage depends on patient's weight and risk of thrombo-embolic complications: 75 IU/kg 2 times daily or 50 UI/kg 3 times daily.
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About 7 to 10 days or more according to clinical response. In postoperative period, administer until fully ambulatory. For long-term therapy, administer heparin simultaneously with oral anticoagulants for 2 to 3 days before stopping heparin.
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Do not mix with other drugs in the same syringe.
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– Below 25 °C
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initial dose of 50 to 100 IU/kg followed by 400 to 600 IU/kg daily, by continuous infusion over 24 hours or by IV injection every 2 to 4 hours. Adjust dosage according to coagulation tests.
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1 SC injection every 12 hours. Start with an initial dose of 250 IU/kg and adjust dosage according to coagulation tests.
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