Bemiparin sodium

Medical uses

Bemiparin is used for the prevention of thromboembolism after surgery, and to prevent blood clotting in the extracorporeal circuit in haemodialysis.

Contraindications

The medication is contraindicated in patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation; acute bleeding or risk of bleeding; injury or surgery of the central nervous system, eyes or ears; severe liver or pancreas impairment; and acute or subacute bacterial endocarditis.

Interactions

No interaction studies have been conducted. Drugs that are expected to increase the risk of bleeding in combination with bemiparin include other anticoagulants, aspirin and other NSAIDs, antiplatelet drugs, and corticosteroids.

Chemistry

Like semuloparin, bemiparin is classified as an ultra-LMWH because of its low molecular mass of 3600 g/mol on average. (Enoxaparin has 4500 g/mol.) These heparins have lower anti-thrombin activity than classical LMWHs and act mainly on factor Xa, reducing the risk of bleeding.

References

References

1. (2003). "Bemiparin: a review of its use in the prevention of venous thromboembolism and treatment of deep vein thrombosis". Drugs.
2. (2018). "Austria-Codex". Österreichischer Apothekerverlag.
3. (September 2003). "Review of bemiparin sodium--a new second-generation low molecular weight heparin and its applications in venous thromboembolism". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy.
4. (October 2011). "A common standard is inappropriate for determining the potency of ultra low molecular weight heparins such as semuloparin and bemiparin". Thrombosis Research.