[Determination of value and bioavailability of various heparin formulations (author's transl)]

The biological values of 11 heparin-Na formulations and 3 heparin-Ca formulations were determined in vitro according to the regulations of the Compendium Medicamentorum (RGW 1975) and versus USP Reference Standard and 3rd International WHO standard. With respect to the Na formulations there was not total agreement between the determinations and the declared values. All the Ca formulations showed that the Ca values ranged between 61.3 and 82.0% of the declarations. These values correlate with those quite frequently published for in vivo findings. Due to the absence of a delayed-release effect and insufficient bioavailability further therapeutic use seems to be questionable.