Clinical medicine profile
Unfractionated heparin
Anticoagulant
- Route
- ORAL / SC / IV
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
This profile needs source confirmation
A traceable source link is not attached to this profile. Confirm prescribing decisions against the current SmPC and Kenya STG/EML.
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Active major bleeding.
- Severe uncontrolled hypertension.
- Immediate postoperative high-bleed-risk windows (selected).
- Pregnancy for warfarin (teratogen).
- Hypersensitivity.
- Specific DOAC contraindications per label (e.g. mechanical valves for dabigatran).
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.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
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].
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Critical for LMWH/DOAC dosing and selection.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Warfarin sensitivity increases in liver disease; many DOACs restricted in Child-Pugh C.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- Deep vein thrombosis & Pulmonary Embolism: Unstable angina, acute peripheral arterial occlusion, prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery: Clinical selection for Unfractionated heparin should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Anticoagulant.
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Adverse 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.
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- is a heterogeneous group of straight-chain anionic mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans, having anticoagulant properties.
- It isstrongly acidic because of its content of covalently linked sulphate and carbox- ylic acid groups.
- It is derived from bovine lung tissue or porcine intestinal mucosa.
- It is a paren- teral anti-coagulant with both short onset and short duration of action.
Mechanism & disposition
Heparin interacts with anti- thrombin III heparin cofactor to produce a sub- stance that immediately neutralizes thrombin by forming a complex with it at its active serine center.
Read complete mechanism
Heparin interacts with anti- thrombin III heparin cofactor to produce a sub- stance 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.
Immediate (UFH IV) to hours (DOAC/LMWH); warfarin days
Hours–days (agent-dependent)
ORAL / SC / IV
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
Warfarin teratogenic — specialist anticoagulation plans. LMWH often preferred in pregnancy.
Warfarin and heparins generally compatible; DOAC data limited — prefer better-studied agents.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIOTON | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | GEL 30G | KES 700.47Daima Chemist price-list reference ↗ Source date not recorded · verify current price |
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.