Heparin: What Is It And How Is It Administered?
Heparin are drugs that are administered intravenously and have a powerful anticoagulant effect. There are two types: low molecular weight heparin and standard or unfractionated heparin.
They are administered parenterally to ensure proper absorption, which is impossible orally. Digestive enzymes deactivate them, which is why they should only be given by injection.
Among the various methods of parenteral administration, the subcutaneous one is the most common for both low molecular weight and unfractionated heparin. The intravenous route is used to administer unfractionated heparin in emergency situations.
Unfractionated heparin or UFH
This type of heparin is formed from a heterogeneous mixture of different polysaccharides. These biomolecules can vary in both size and weight.
The weight is between 6,000 and 40,000 daltons, but the average weight is 15,000 daltons. The chains that make up these heparins contain glucosamine and sulfated glucuronidic or iduronic acid.
Low molecular weight heparin or HBPM
The low molecular weight heparin derives from the fracture of the previous one. It is made up of chains of polysaccharides, but the average molecular weight is much lower, between 4,000 and 5,000 daltons.
Therapeutic indications
Heparin are used in situations that require a quick and short-lasting anticoagulant action. The most common cases are the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis, as well as during surgery, both in severe and lower risk cases.
Treatment of deep vein thrombosis, with or without pulmonary embolism, involves administering heparin until the prothrombin time stabilizes. Then, we continue with oral anticoagulants. For this purpose, both types of heparin described can be used.
Nonetheless, low molecular weight heparin has a number of advantages, such as fewer side effects and the ability to administer it in a single daily dose.
This dose depends on the patient’s body weight; it is not necessary to control the antithrombotic effect , as it does not interact with plasma proteins.
How do heparins have their effect on the body?
The antithrombotic and anticoagulant effects of heparin are due to their ability to the nibire factor Xa and factor IIa, closely related to the formation of clots and thrombi.
However, low molecular weight heparin exhibits less inhibitory activity than unfractionated. Besides that, it also presents a lower risk of bleeding.
Adverse Effects of Heparin
Like all medicines, heparin treatment can be accompanied by a number of side effects. Adverse reactions of low molecular weight heparin are minor compared to unfractionated heparin.
By adverse reactions we mean all those unwanted and unintended effects that may occur as a result of taking a medicine. In this regard, the most frequent contraindications of heparins are:
- Bleeding: These are not very frequent when treatment focuses on prevention, as the doses are lower. In patients with kidney disease, the dose should be adjusted because there is a risk of this side effect.
- Thrombocytopenia: does not depend on doses, unlike haemorrhage. Moreover, it is often not linked to age or to the route of administration. This is a response that varies from patient to patient.
- Skin necrosis.
- Hypersensitivity reactions.
- Hypoaldosteronism : low levels of the hormone aldosterone.
Finally, it must be said that heparin can cause osteoporosis. However, when treatment is long-term, this risk is reduced.
Conclusion
Low molecular weight, unfractionated heparins are medicines used to prevent blood clots and blood clots. They are especially indicated in the surgical field and in the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis.
These are drugs with a very powerful action and not free from undesirable effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to clarify any doubts in this regard.
