Therapeutic Anticoagulant Effect With Full-Dose Heparin Although dosage must be adjusted for the individual patient according to the results of suitable
laboratory tests, the following dosage schedules may be used as guidelines:
METHOD OF
ADMINISTRATION
FREQUENCY
RECOMMENDED DOSE
[based on 150 lb (68 kg) patient]
Deep Subcutaneous
(Intrafat) Injection
Initial dose
5000 units by IV injection, followed
by 10,000 to 20,000 units of a
concentrated solution, subcutaneously
A different site should be used for
each injection to prevent the
development of massive
hematoma
Every 8 hours
or
8000 to 10,000 units of a
concentrated solution
Every 12 hours
15,000 to 20,000 units of a
concentrated solution
Intermittent Intravenous Injection
Initial dose
10,000 units, either undiluted or in 50
to 100 mL of 0.9
% Sodium Chloride
Injection, USP
Every 4 to 6 hours
5000 to 10,000 units, either undiluted
or in 50 to 100 mL of 0.9
% Sodium
Chloride Injection, USP
Intravenous Infusion
Initial dose
5000 units by IV injection
Continuous
20,000 to 40,000 units/24 hours in
1000 mL of 0.9
% Sodium Chloride
Injection, USP (or in any compatible
solution) for infusion
Pediatric Use Follow recommendations of appropriate pediatric reference texts. In general, the following dosage
schedule may be used as a guideline:
Initial Dose
50 units/kg (IV, drip)
Maintenance Dose
100 units/kg (IV, drip) every 4 hours, or 20,000 units/m
2
/24 hours continuously
Geriatric Use Patients over 60 years of age may require lower doses of heparin.
Surgery of the Heart and Blood Vessels Patients undergoing total body perfusion for open-heart surgery should receive an initial dose of not
less than 150 units of heparin sodium per kilogram of body weight. Frequently, a dose of 300 units per
kilogram is used for procedures estimated to last less than 60 minutes, or 400 units per kilogram for
those estimated to last longer than 60 minutes.
