Dalteparin
Also sold as: Fragmin
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Dalteparin is a low molecular weight heparin with antithrombotic properties. It acts by enhancing the inhibition of Factor Xa and thrombin by antithrombin. In humans, dalteparin potentiates preferentially the inhibition of coagulation Factor Xa, while only slightly affecting the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT).
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE FRAGMIN is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) indicated for • Prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction ( 1.1 ) • Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in abdominal surgery, hip replacement surgery or medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness ( 1.2 ) • Extended treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) to reduce the recurrence in adult patients with cancer. In these patients, the FRAGMIN therapy begins with the initial VTE treatment and continues for six months ( 1.3 ) • Treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) to reduce the recurrence in pediatric patients from birth (gestational age at least 35 weeks) ( 1.4 ) • Limitations of Use FRAGMIN is not indicated for the acute treatment of VTE ( 1.5 ) 1.1 Prophylaxis of Ischemic Complications in Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction FRAGMIN Injection is indicated for the prophylaxis of ischemic complications in unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, when concurrently administered with aspirin therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . 1.2 Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis FRAGMIN is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE): • In patients undergoing hip replacement surgery [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] ; • In patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are at risk for thromboembolic complications [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] ; • In medical patients who are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to severely restricted mobility during acute illness [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . 1.3 Extended Treatment of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Adult Patients with Cancer FRAGMIN is indicated for the extended treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) (proximal DVT and/or PE), to reduce the recurrence of VTE in adult patients with cancer. In these patients, the FRAGMIN therapy b
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Indication Dosing Regimen Unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI 120 units/kg subcutaneous every 12 hours (with aspirin) ( 2.1 ) DVT prophylaxis in abdominal surgery 2,500 units subcutaneous once daily or 5,000 units subcutaneous once daily or 2,500 units subcutaneous followed by 2,500 units subcutaneous 12 hours later and then 5,000 units subcutaneous once daily ( 2.2 ) DVT prophylaxis in hip replacement surgery Postoperative start – 2,500 units subcutaneous 4 hours to 8 hours after surgery, then 5,000 units subcutaneous once daily, or Preoperative start – day of surgery 2,500 units subcutaneous 2 hours before surgery followed by 2,500 units subcutaneous 4 hours to 8 hours after surgery, then 5,000 units subcutaneous once daily ( 2.2 ) Preoperative start – Evening Before Surgery 5,000 units subcutaneous followed by 5,000 units subcutaneous 4 hours to 8 hours after surgery ( 2.2 ) DVT prophylaxis in medical patients 5,000 units subcutaneous once daily ( 2.2 ) Extended treatment of VTE in adult patients with cancer Month 1: 200 units/kg subcutaneous once daily ( 2.3 ) Months 2 to 6: 150 units/kg subcutaneous once daily ( 2.3 ) Treatment of VTE in pediatric patients (see Table 5 ) ( 2.4 ) Age Group Starting Dose Birth (gestational age at least 35 weeks) to less than 2 Years 150 units/kg twice daily 2 Years to less than 8 Years 125 units/kg twice daily 8 Years to less than 17 Years 100 units/kg twice daily Do not use as intramuscular injection. FRAGMIN should not be mixed with other injections or infusions ( 2.7 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Prophylaxis of Ischemic Complications in Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction In patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN Injection is 120 units/kg of body weight, but not more than 10,000 units, subcutaneously every 12 hours with concurrent oral aspirin (75 mg to 165 mg once daily) therapy. Treatment should be continued until the patient is clinically stabilized. The usual duration of administration is 5 days to 8 days. Concurrent aspirin therapy is recommended except when contraindicated. Table 1 lists the volume of FRAGMIN in mL (based on the 3.8 mL multiple-dose vial 25,000 units/mL) and quantity of FRAGMIN in units, to be administered for a range of patient weights. Table 1 Quantity and Volume of FRAGMIN to be Administered by Patient Weight Patient weight (kg) <50 kg 50 kg to 59 kg 60 kg to 69 kg 70 kg to 79 kg 80 kg to 89 kg ≥90 kg Quantity of FRAGMIN (units) 5,500 units 6,500 units 7,500 units 9,000 units 10,000 units 10,000 units Volume of FRAGMIN (mL) 95,000 units / 3.8 mL 0.22 mL 0.26 mL 0.3 mL 0.36 mL 0.4 mL 0.4 mL 2.2 Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis of VTE Following Hip Replacement Surgery : Table 2 presents the dosing options for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. The usual duration of administration is 5 days to 10 days after surgery; up to 14 days of treatment with FRAGMIN have been well tolerated in clinical trials. Table 2 Dosing Options for Patients Undergoing Hip Replacement Surgery Timing of First Dose of FRAGMIN Dose of FRAGMIN to be Given Subcutaneously 10 Hours to 14 Hours Before Surgery Within 2 Hours Before Surgery 4 Hours to 8 Hours After Surgery Or later, if hemostasis has not been achieved. Postoperative Period Up to 14 days of treatment was well tolerated in controlled clinical trials, where the usual duration of treatment was 5 days to 10 days postoperatively. Postoperative Start --- --- 2,500 units Allow a minimum of 6 hours between this dose and the dose to be given on Postoperative Day 1. Adjust the timing of the dose on Postoperative Day 1 accordingly. 5,000 units once daily Preoperative Start - Day of Surgery --- 2,500 units 2,500 units 5,000 units once daily Preoperative Start - Evening Before Surgery Allow approximately 24 hours between doses. 5,000 units --- 5,000 units 5,000 units once daily Abdominal Surgery: In patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a risk of thromboembolic complications, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN is 2,500 units administered by subcutaneous injection once daily, starting 1 hour to 2 hours prior to surgery and repeated once daily postoperatively. The usual duration of administration is 5 days to 10 days. In patients undergoing abdominal surgery associated with a high risk of thromboembolic complications, such as malignant disorder, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN is 5,000 units subcutaneously the evening before surgery, then once daily postoperatively. The usual duration of administration is 5 days to 10 days. Alternatively, in patients with malignancy, 2,500 units of FRAGMIN can be administered subcutaneously 1 hour to 2 hours before surgery followed by 2,500 units subcutaneously 12 hours later, and then 5,000 units once daily postoperatively. The usual duration of administration is 5 days to 10 days. Medical Patients During Acute Illness: In medical patients with severely restricted mo
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in more detail in other sections of the prescribing information . • Risk of Hemorrhage including Spinal/Epidural Hematomas [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Benzyl Alcohol Preservative Risk to Premature Infants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Most common adverse reactions (>1%) are: bleeding (including hemorrhage), thrombocytopenia (Type I), hematoma at the injection site, pain at the injection site, transient elevation of transaminases ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc. at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not accurately reflect the rates observed in practice. Hemorrhage The most commonly reported adverse reactions are hematoma at the injection site and hemorrhagic complications. The risk for bleeding varies with the indication and may increase with higher doses. Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Table 7 summarizes major bleeding reactions that occurred with FRAGMIN, heparin, and placebo in clinical trials of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. Table 7 Major Bleeding Reactions in Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Indication Dosing Regimen Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave MI FRAGMIN 120 units/kg/12 hours subcutaneous Treatment was administered for 5 days to 8 days. n (%) Heparin Heparin intravenous infusion for at least 48 hours, APTT 1.5 to 2 times control, then 12,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours for 5 days to 8 days. intravenous and subcutaneous n (%) Placebo every 12 hours subcutaneous n (%) Major Bleeding Reactions Aspirin (75 mg to 165 mg per day) and beta blocker therapies were administered concurrently. , Bleeding reactions were considered major if: 1) accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2 g/dL in connection with clinical symptoms; 2) a transfusion was required; 3) bleeding led to interruption of treatment or death; or 4) intracranial bleeding. 15/1497 (1.0) 7/731 (1.0) 4/760 (0.5) Hip Replacement Surgery Table 8 summarizes: 1) all major bleeding reactions and, 2) other bleeding reactions possibly or probably related to treatment with FRAGMIN (preoperative dosing regimen), warfarin sodium, or heparin in two hip replacement surgery clinical trials. Table 8 Bleeding Reactions Following Hip Replacement Surgery Indication FRAGMIN vs Warfarin Sodium FRAGMIN vs Heparin Dosing Regimen Dosing Regimen Hip Replacement Surgery FRAGMIN Includes three treated patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure. 5,000 units once daily subcutaneous Warfarin Sodium Warfarin sodium dosage was adjusted to maintain a prothrombin time index of 1.4 to 1.5, corresponding to an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of approximately 2.5. oral FRAGMIN Includes two treated patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure. 5,000 units once daily subcutaneous Heparin 5,000 units three times a day subcutaneous n (%) n (%) n (%) n (%) Major Bleeding Reactions A bleeding event was considered major if: 1) hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, 2) it was associated with a hemoglobin decrease of ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products, 3) it resulted in reoperation due to bleeding, or 4) it involved retroperitoneal or intracranial hemorrhage. 7/274 (2.6) 1/279 (0.4) 0 3/69 (4.3) Other Bleeding Reactions Occurred at a rate of at least 2% in the group treated with FRAGMIN 5,000 units once daily. Hematuria 8/274 (2.9) 5/279 (1.8) 0 0 Wound Hematoma 6/274 (2.2) 0 0 0 Injection Site Hematoma 3/274 (1.1) NA 2/69 (2.9) 7/69 (10.1) Six of the patients treated with FRAGMIN experienced seven major bleeding reactions. Two of the reactions were wound hematoma (one requiring reoperation), three were bleeding from the operative site, one was intraoperative bleeding due to vessel damage, and one was gastrointestinal bleeding. In the third hip replacement surgery clinical trial, the incidence of major bleeding reactions was similar in all three treatment groups: 3.6% (18/496) for patients who started FRAGMIN before surgery; 2.5% (12/487) for patients who started FRAGMIN after surgery; and 3.1% (15/489) for patients treated with warfarin sodium. Abdominal Surgery Table 9 summarizes bleeding reactions that occurred in clinical trials which studied FRAGMIN 2,500 units and 5,000 units administered once daily to abdominal surgery patients. Table 9 Bleeding Reactions Following Abdominal Surgery Indication FRAGMIN vs Placebo FRAGMIN vs FRAGMIN Dosing Regimen Dosing Regimen Abdominal Surgery FRAGMIN 2,500 units once daily subcutaneous n (%) Placebo once daily subcutaneous n (%) FRAGMIN 2,500 units on
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS The use of FRAGMIN in patients receiving oral anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors, and thrombolytic agents may increase the risk of bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ] . The use of FRAGMIN in patients receiving oral anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors, and thrombolytic agents may increase the risk of bleeding ( 7 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS FRAGMIN is contraindicated in: • Patients with active major bleeding. • Patients with a history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia or heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis. • Patients with prior hypersensitivity to dalteparin sodium (e.g., pruritis, rash, anaphylactic reactions) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . • Patients undergoing Epidural/Neuraxial anesthesia, do not administer FRAGMIN [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] ; o As a treatment for unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI. o For prolonged VTE prophylaxis. • Patients with prior hypersensitivity to heparin or pork products. • Active major bleeding ( 4 ) • History of heparin induced thrombocytopenia or heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis ( 4 ) • Hypersensitivity to dalteparin sodium ( 4 , 6.1 ) • In patients undergoing Epidural/Neuraxial anesthesia, do not administer FRAGMIN ( 5.1 ) o As a treatment for unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI o For prolonged VTE prophylaxis ( 4 ) • Hypersensitivity to heparin or pork products ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.