Dalteparin Sodium (Fragmin®): A Comprehensive Pharmacological and Clinical Monograph

Introduction and Drug Identification

Overview of Dalteparin as a Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)

Dalteparin is a potent antithrombotic agent belonging to the class of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs). It is a biological product derived from unfractionated heparin (UFH) of porcine intestinal mucosa origin through a controlled process of nitrous acid depolymerization.[1] This process yields a complex mixture of strongly acidic sulphated polysaccharide chains with an average molecular weight of approximately 5000 Daltons; about 90% of the material falls within the 2000 to 9000 Dalton range.[1] The resulting product, dalteparin sodium, functions as an anticoagulant, commonly referred to as a "blood thinner," and is clinically utilized for the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disorders, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).[3]

Marketed globally under the brand name Fragmin®, dalteparin holds a significant place in modern antithrombotic therapy.[3] Its development represented a substantial advancement over its parent compound, UFH. Dalteparin exhibits several key advantages, including a more predictable pharmacokinetic profile, superior bioavailability following subcutaneous administration, and a longer biological half-life. These properties permit reliable weight-based dosing, typically via self-administered subcutaneous injection, and reduce or eliminate the need for the intensive laboratory monitoring required for UFH therapy.[1] In recognition of its efficacy, safety, and critical role in healthcare, dalteparin is included on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[3]

Key Identifiers and Chemical Properties