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Heparin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 23, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 10000 units/mL; 1000 units/mL; 20000 units/mL; 5000 units/0.5 mL; 5000 units/mL; 7500 units/mL; 2500 units/mL; beef lung 1000 units/mL; beef lung 5000 units/mL; beef lung 10000 units/mL; 2000 units/mL; 25000 units/mL; 100 units/mL-D5%; 50 units/mL-D5%; 100 units/mL-NaCl 0.45%; 50 units/mL-NaCl 0.45%; 40 units/mL-D5%; 40000 units/mL; 500 units/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 2000 units/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 10 units/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 50 units/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 30 units/mL-NaCl 0.9%

Usual Adult Dose for:

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Deep Vein Thrombosis - Prophylaxis

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Embolism

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Venous Thromboembolism

The manufacturer provides the following dosing guidelines based on clinical experience:

Continuous IV infusion:


Intermittent IV injection:

Deep subcutaneous (intrafat) injection:
333 units/kg subcutaneously followed by 250 units/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours; the following dosage regimen has also been recommended: 5000 units by IV injection followed by 10,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously, and then 8000 to 10,000 units subcutaneously every 8 hours or 15,000 to 20,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.

Comments:

Uses:


5000 units subcutaneously 2 hours before surgery and 5000 units subcutaneously every 8 to 12 hours thereafter for 7 days or until the patient is ambulatory, whichever is longer.

Comments:

Use: Low-dose regimen for prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients greater than 40 years old undergoing major abdominothoracic surgery or who, for other reasons, are at risk of developing thromboembolic disease.

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Initial dose: At least 150 units/kg; frequently, 300 units/kg is used for procedures estimated to last less than 60 minutes or 400 units/kg for those estimated to last longer than 60 minutes.

Comments:


Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Vascular Surgery

Initial dose: At least 150 units/kg; frequently, 300 units/kg is used for procedures estimated to last less than 60 minutes or 400 units/kg for those estimated to last longer than 60 minutes.

Comments:


Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Blood Transfusion

Addition of 400 to 600 USP units per 100 mL of whole blood is usually employed to prevent coagulation

Use: Anticoagulant use in blood transfusions.

Usual Adult Dose for Patency Maintenance of Indwelling Intravenous Devices

6 units/hr (using 2 units/mL formulation) has been found to be satisfactory

Comments: Rate of infusion depends upon age, weight, clinical condition, and procedure being employed.

Use: To aid in the maintenance of catheter patency.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Thrombotic/Thromboembolic Disorder

Neonates:
Systemic to pulmonary artery shunt thrombosis: 50 to 100 units/kg IV bolus; consideration should be given to ongoing infusion.
Central venous access device patency: 0.5 units/kg/hr IV continuous infusion
Systemic heparinization:


Infants and Children:
Systemic to pulmonary artery shunt thrombosis: 50 to 100 units/kg IV bolus; consideration should be given to ongoing infusion.
Systemic to pulmonary artery shunt thromboprophylaxis: 10 to 15 units/kg/hr IV continuous infusion
Central venous line thromboprophylaxis in high-risk congenital heart disease (CHD) patients: 10 to 15 units/kg/hr IV continuous infusion
Systemic heparinization:

Comments:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Patency Maintenance of Indwelling Intravenous Devices

Neonates:
Systemic to pulmonary artery shunt thrombosis: 50 to 100 units/kg IV bolus; consideration should be given to ongoing infusion.
Central venous access device patency: 0.5 units/kg/hr IV continuous infusion
Systemic heparinization:


Infants and Children:
Systemic to pulmonary artery shunt thrombosis: 50 to 100 units/kg IV bolus; consideration should be given to ongoing infusion.
Systemic to pulmonary artery shunt thromboprophylaxis: 10 to 15 units/kg/hr IV continuous infusion
Central venous line thromboprophylaxis in high-risk congenital heart disease (CHD) patients: 10 to 15 units/kg/hr IV continuous infusion
Systemic heparinization:

Comments:

Renal Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate renal dysfunction: Data not available
Severe renal dysfunction: Use with caution

Liver Dose Adjustments

Use with caution

Dose Adjustments

Converting to warfarin: Continue full heparin therapy for several days until INR has reached a stable therapeutic range. Heparin may then be discontinued without tapering.

Converting to oral anticoagulants other than warfarin:


Concomitant use of antithrombin III (human): In patients with antithrombin III deficiency, consider a lower dose of this drug when coadministered with antithrombin III (human).

Precautions

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Extracorporeal dialysis: If equipment manufacturers' recommendations are not available, the following doses are suggested based on pharmacodynamic data:


Peritoneal dialysis: Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice: The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

Storage requirements: Storage of prepared infusion solution should not exceed 4 hours at room temperature or 24 hours at 2 to 8C.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques: The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

IV compatibility: The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

Monitoring:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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