Is it dangerous to self-administer heparin at home?
Self-administering heparin at home is extremely dangerous, as heparin is a potent anticoagulant that requires strict dosage control and monitoring. When self-injecting heparin at home, it is easy to encounter problems such as inaccurate dosing, inadequate injection technique, and delayed monitoring.
The dosage of heparin must be individually adjusted based on factors such as the patient's weight, age, and medical condition. Self-administration at home increases the risk of incorrect dosing, which may lead to excessive anticoagulation or insufficient therapeutic effect, potentially resulting in serious complications such as bleeding or thrombosis. Heparin must be administered via subcutaneous injection; if the injection technique is not properly mastered, issues such as improper injection depth, speed too fast or too slow may occur, compromising both efficacy and safety.
Heparin therapy requires regular monitoring of parameters such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and safety. When self-administering at home, monitoring may be delayed or incomplete, potentially leading to delayed treatment adjustments or adverse reactions.
If heparin therapy is required, it must be done under the guidance of a physician, with dose adjustments and drug monitoring strictly following medical advice. Never self-administer heparin at home, as this could lead to severe consequences.