Heparin Sodium Injection

Generic Name: Heparin sodium
Product Name: Heparin Sodium Injection

Indication

Heparin is used in
Treatment of blood clotting disorders
Prophylaxis of blood clotting disorders
Cardiopulmonary bypass
Haemodialysis

Action

Heparin increases the action of factors in the body that normally prevent the formation of blood clots.
Normally there is balance between the factors in the body that create blood clots and those that prevent the formation of blood clots. In the settings of trauma, surgery and immobilisation there is an increased predisposition to blood clot formation in the body. By increasing the actions of the anti-clotting factors Heparin lessens the risk of the formation of new blood clots however it has no effect on blood clots that are already present in the body.

Dose advice

Adults
An initial intravenous injection of 12500 units is given followed by doses of 6000 – 12000 units every four hours.
For a continuous infusion 10000 – 20000 units are given in 5% glucose or normal saline 5% over 12 hours.
Subcutaneous doses of 10000 to 12500 units at 6 to 12 hourly intervals may be given in an emergency situation
For the prevention of blood clots following surgery 5000 units is given subcutaneously, two hours before surgery and then after surgery every 12 hours for approximately ten days.

Children
The initial dose in children is 50 units/kg intravenously and this may be increased to 100 units/kg every four hours.