Heparin (unfractionated)

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: UFH

Pharmacological Mechanism

Sulfated glycosaminoglycan polymer — binds antithrombin → ~1000× acceleration of antithrombin's inhibition of thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa. Heparin chain length governs the IIa/Xa ratio. IV/SC; aPTT-monitored. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a feared complication.

Half-Life (t½)

IV: 1.5h

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 18000IU (Range: 5000 - 35000 IU)

Target Organ Systems

• immune-hematologic