Dosage ; see below
Combinations ; - see below
| Brand Name | Manufacturer Name | Distributor | Drug Strength | Packaging | Formulation | Formulation Strength | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heparin | Fresenius kabi (formally Dabur Pharmaceuticals) | Universal Corporation Ltd | 5,000i.u | 1 | Injection | per ml | KES 400 |
| Heparin | Fresenius kabi (formally Dabur Pharmaceuticals) | Universal Corporation Ltd | 5,000i.u | 10 | Injection | per ml | KES 4,800 |
| Lioton | Menarini Pharmaceuticals | Phillips Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | 1000i.u./g | 30gm | gel | KES 594.00 |
| Heparin (unfractionated) More info | |
|---|---|
| Mode Of Action | Heparin interacts with anti-thrombin III heparin cofactor to produce a substance that immediately neutralizes thrombin by forming a complex with it at its active serine center. It also inhibits platelet function, increases the permeability of vessel walls, inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, inhibits delayed hypersensitivity reactions, and is involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. |
| Drug Indication | Deep vein thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism; Unstable angina, acute peripheral arterial occlusion, prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery; |
| Precautions | To screen all patients before initiation of heparin therapy to rule out bleeding disorders; to discontinue immediately in case of the bleeding; monitoring of platelet counts before and during heparin therapy. |
| Contra-Indications | Patients with severe thrombocytopenia; patients with excessive bleeding disorder(s); patients who are hypersensitive to the drug. |
| Side Effects | Haemorrhage as the extension of its action; thrombocytopenia caused by a direct non-immunologic effect on circulating platelets; thrombocytopenia caused by the heparin-dependent IgG platelet-aggregating antibody; localized or disseminated thromboses (rare); hypersensitivity (rare); deep subcutaneous injection of heparin may cause local irritation (rare), erythema, mild pain, hematoma, ulceration, or cutaneous and subcutaneous necrosis. |
| Dosage | Deep vein thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism: I.V loading dose: 5000 - 10,000 units depending on severity of the condition. This is followed by 1000-2000 units/hour by continuous infusion or 15,000 units after every 12hours SC. Children or young adults: Reduce loading dose then 15-25/kg/hour by I.V infusion or 250 units/kg SC. every 12hours. Unstable angina, acute peripheral arterial occlusion, prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery (See above dosages). Prophylaxis in general surgery: SC. 5000 units 2 hours before surgery then TID to QID for 7 days or until the patient is ambulant. During pregnancy; 5000-10,000 units BD. (Laboratory monitoring essential). |
| Special Information | It is a heterogeneous group of straight-chain anionic mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans, having anticoagulant properties. It is strongly acidic because of its content of covalently linked sulphate and carboxylic acid groups. It is derived from bovine lung tissue or porcine intestinal mucosa. It is a parenteral anti-coagulant with both short onset and short duration of action. |
| Pregnancy Category | Category C |
| Pregnancy Category Description | Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, or may be suspected of causing detrimental effects on human foetus or neonates without causing malfunctions. These effects may be reversible |
| Drug Category | DRUGS ACTI NG ON THE CARDIO-VASCULAR SYSTEM |
| Drug Sub-Category | Unfractionated heparin |