Heparin Sodium

Indications

Cardiac Arrhythmia Deep Vein Thrombosis

Multiparin Injection is indicated for prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism; atrial fibrillation with embolization; treatment of acute and chronic consumptive coagulopathies (disseminated intravascular coagulation); prevention of clotting in arterial and cardiac surgery; prophylaxis and treatment of peripheral arterial embolism; and anticoagulant use in blood transfusions, extracorporeal circulation, dialysis procedures and as an aid in the maintenance of catheter patency.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Heparin inhibits reactions that lead to blood clotting and fibrin clot formation, both in the test tube and in the body. It acts at multiple points in the normal clotting process. In small amounts, combined with antithrombin III (heparin cofactor), it can prevent thrombosis by inactivating activated Factor X and blocking the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Once a thrombosis has already developed, larger amounts of heparin can halt further clotting by inactivating thrombin and preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Heparin also stops a stable fibrin clot from forming by inhibiting activation of the fibrin stabilising factor.

Bleeding time is usually unaffected by heparin. Clotting time is prolonged by full therapeutic doses, though in most cases low doses do not measurably affect it.

Heparin has no fibrinolytic activity, so it will not dissolve clots that have already formed.

Clinical trials have not shown heparin to be better than anticoagulant free fluids (such as normal saline) at keeping catheters patent.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Heparin sodium is Pregnancy Category C. It does not cross the placental barrier. No animal reproduction studies have been done with it, so it isn't known whether heparin sodium can harm the foetus when given to a pregnant woman, or whether it can affect reproductive capacity. For this reason, give it to pregnant women only if it is clearly needed.

Heparin sodium is not excreted in human milk.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Give Heparin Sodium Injection by intermittent IV injection, IV infusion, or deep subcutaneous injection. It is not meant for intramuscular (IM) use. Heparin sodium doesn't work when taken by mouth, so it should not be given orally. Look at parenteral products before giving them, to check for particles and any change in colour. Where possible, use a final filter during administration of all parenteral solutions. Therapeutic anticoagulant effect with full-dose heparin Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection: the initial dose is 333 units/kg subcutaneously. Use a different site for each injection. After that, give 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. Intermittent intravenous injection: the initial dose is 10,000 units. Then give 5,000 to 10,000 units every 4 to 6 hours. Continuous intravenous infusion: start with 5,000 units by intravenous injection, then run the infusion continuously at 20,000 to 40,000 units/24 hours. These figures are based on a 150 lb. (68 kg) patient. Surgery of the heart and blood vessels For intravascular use via total body perfusion, the initial dose is 150 units/kg or more. Adjust it for longer procedures. Use in extracorporeal therapy A concentration of 2 units/mL will be enough to prevent clotting when extracorporeal therapy starts, if the devices are primed with this solution. NOTE: A proper and effective heparinisation schedule must be started in the patient before the procedure and kept up throughout, to prevent later clotting and blockage of the blood path. Refer to the particular manufacturer's directions for the dialyser or other extracorporeal apparatus. Refer equally to the direction sheets for the therapeutic dosage forms of heparin, and adjust to the patient's condition and response so that anticoagulation is effective, sustained and within clinically safe limits. Intermittent and continuous infusion of 5000, 10000 or 20000 units are both used for this purpose. They are unrelated to the low dose heparin in this preparation, which is meant only for preparing the apparatus for first use. Maintenance of catheter patency The infusion rate for the 2 units/mL formulation depends on the patient's age, weight and clinical condition and on the procedure being used. A rate of 3 mL/hour has been found satisfactory. Periodic platelet counts, hematocrits, and tests for occult blood in stool are recommended throughout the whole course of heparin therapy, whatever the route of administration. Because the dose of this drug is titrated to response, don't add anything to heparin sodium injection.

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Indications

Pharmacology

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Dosage Reference

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

Key Interactions