A Human Pharmacological Study Comparing Conventional Heparin and a Low Molecular Weight Heparin Fragment

Summary

The pharmacokinetics of a heparin fragment of low molecular weight (LMWH) of 4000-5000 D and unfractioned standard heparin (UFH) have been studied after i. v. injections of different doses and infusions in 8 humans.

The heparin activity was significantly higher and the effect on APTT lower after LMWH fragment as compared to UFH in the same doses.

The half-life of heparin activity was about 1 hr for UFH and about 2 hr for LMWH. LMWH was found to be eliminated according to first order kinetics and there were no signs of dose dependency.

Keywords

Heparin - Low molecular weight heparin - Pharmacokinetics - Humans

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