Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data
Drug Category
- Anticoagulants
- Fibrinolytic Agents
Dosage Forms
Brands / Synonyms
Normiflo
Indications
For prevention of deep vein thrombosis, which may result in pulmonary embolism, following knee surgery.
Pharmacology
Ardeparin, an anticoagulant, is a fractionated heparin. It acts at multiple sites in the normal coagulation system to inhibit reactions that lead to the clotting of blood and the formation of fibrin clots both in vitro and in vivo.
Mechanism of Action
Ardeparin binds to antithrombin III, accelerating its activity and inactivating factor Xa and thrombin, thereby inhibiting thrombosis. Ardeparin also binds to heparin cofactor II, inhibiting thrombin. Ardeparin does not effect prothrombin time (PT) assays and may prolong activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Ardeparin has double the anti-factor Xa activity of anti-factor IIa activity, compared to unfractionated heparin which has approximately equal anti-factor Xa activity and anti-factor IIa activity.
Absorption
Well absorbed following subcutaneous administration, with a mean bioavailability of 92% (based on anti-factor Xa activity).
Toxicity
Symptoms of overdose may include excessive bleeding and bruising.
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Liver and the reticulo-endothelial system are the sites of biotransformation.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in active bleeding (can exacerbate bleeding), hypertension (can increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage), and hemorrhagic stroke (can increase the risk of uncontrollable hemorrhage).
Drug Interactions
Anticoagulants including coumarin derivatives, indandione derivatives, and platelet aggregation inhibitors such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding when administered concomitantly with ardeparin.
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