

XxTIMMYxx Hell, they gave me a prescription for this when I broke my ankle because they knew I would be laying in bed. Lovenox, which is low molecular weight Heparin, is also frequently used after surgery and is used instead of Heparin, not with Heparin.


There is no oral form of heparin, but some other blood thinners can be given in a tablet form. Heparin is given subcutaneously, meaning it is injected into the body in an area such as the abdomen, and can also be given intravenously (IV). Kidney function will often determine how often heparin can safely be given to prevent clots. For these patients, heparin is often given every eight to twelve hours around the clock, in an effort to reduce the risk of a life-threatening pulmonary embolism or clot. Patients who are unable to get out of bed in the days following surgery are at greater risk of forming clots, making heparin a commonly used drug in intensive care units. Heparin is often given after surgery, particularly in patients who remain hospitalized for several days after surgery, to prevent blood clots from forming.
