Bluehep Dosage/Direction for Use

Administration and dosage: Heparin is given intravenously, preferably by continuous infusion, or by subcutaneous injection. It may be given as the calcium or sodium salt and it is generally accepted that there is little difference in their effects.
For treatment of venous thromboembolism, an intravenous loading dose of 5,000 units (10,000 units may be required in severe pulmonary embolism) is followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 1,000 to 2,000 units/hour or subcutaneous injection of 15,000 units every 12 hours.
Alternatively, intermittent intravenous injection of 5,000 to 10,000 units every 4 to 6 hours is suggested in some product literature.
Children and small adults are given a lower intravenous loading dose followed by maintenance with continuous intravenous infusion of 15 to 25 units/kg per hour or subcutaneous injection of 250 units/kg every 12 hours.
For prophylaxis of post-operative venous thromboembolism, subcutaneous doses used are 5,000 units 2 hours before surgery then every 8 to 12 hours for 7 days or until the patient is ambulant. Similar doses are used to prevent thromboembolism during pregnancy in women with a history of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism; the dosage may need to be increased to 10,000 units every 12 hours during the third trimester.
In the management of unstable angina or acute peripheral arterial embolism, heparin may be given by continuous intravenous infusion in the same doses as those recommended for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Doses that have been recommended for the prevention of re-occlusion of the coronary arteries following thrombolytic therapy in myocardial infarction include 5,000 units intravenously followed by 1,000 units/hour intravenously with alteplase; a dose of 12,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours for at least 10 days may be used to prevent mural thrombosis. Or as prescribed by the physician.