Fragmin
® (
dalteparin sodium) is a prescription medication approved to prevent blood clots in certain situations. It may also be used specifically for the treatment of blood clots in people with cancer (but not in people without cancer). It is also approved to prevent complications in people who have recently had a
heart attack or
unstable angina (a type of chest pain that may indicate a heart attack is imminent). Fragmin is taken by injection just below the skin.
Who Makes This Medication?
Fragmin is manufactured by Pfizer Inc., for Eisai, Inc.
How Does Fragmin Work?
Fragmin is a low-molecular-weight heparin medication.
Like heparin, Fragmin works to prevent the formation of clots (or the growth of existing clots) by binding to an enzyme in the body known as antithrombin III. In doing so, Fragmin accelerates the activity of antithrombin III.
Because antithrombin III inhibits two clotting factors (known as factor Xa and IIa), Fragmin effectively inhibits these two clotting factors as well. This action helps to reduce clot formation.
Like other "blood thinners," Fragmin does not break down clots. Instead, it slows down clot formation, giving the body a chance to naturally break down the clots.
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