Fragmin Drug Information

Recommended Dosage for Prophylaxis of Ischemic Complications in Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction In patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN Injection is 120 units/kg of body weight, but not more than 10,000 units, subcutaneously every 12 hours with concurrent oral aspirin (75 mg to 165 mg once daily) therapy. Treatment should be continued until the patient is clinically stabilized. The usual duration of administration is 5 days to 8 days.

Concurrent aspirin therapy is recommended except when contraindicated. Table 1 lists the volume of FRAGMIN in mL (based on the 3.8 mL multiple-dose vial 25,000 units/mL) and quantity of FRAGMIN in units, to be administered for a range of patient weights.

• Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis of VTE Following Hip Replacement Surgery: Table 2 presents the dosing options for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.
• Abdominal Surgery: In patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a risk of thromboembolic complications, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN is 2,500 units administered by subcutaneous injection once daily, starting 1 hour to 2 hours prior to surgery and repeated once daily postoperatively. In patients undergoing abdominal surgery associated with a high risk of thromboembolic complications, such as malignant disorder, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN is 5,000 units subcutaneously the evening before surgery, then once daily postoperatively.
• Medical Patients During Acute Illness: In medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness, the recommended dose of FRAGMIN is 5,000 units administered by subcutaneous injection once daily. In clinical trials, the usual duration of administration was 12 days to 14 days.

Extended Treatment of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Adult Patients with Cancer In adult patients with cancer and symptomatic VTE, the recommended dosing of FRAGMIN is as follows: for the first 30 days of treatment administer FRAGMIN 200 units/kg total body weight subcutaneously once daily. The total daily dose should not exceed 18,000 units. Table 3 lists the dose of FRAGMIN to be administered once daily during the first month for a range of patient weights.

Table 4 lists the dose of FRAGMIN to be administered once daily for a range of patient weights during months 2 to 6. Safety and efficacy beyond six months have not been evaluated in patients with cancer and acute symptomatic VTE.

Treatment of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in Pediatric Patients The recommended starting dose according to pediatric age is provided in After initiation of FRAGMIN, measure anti-Xa level prior to the 4 th dose. Samples for anti-Xa level should be drawn 4 hours after administration of FRAGMIN. Adjust doses in increments of 25 units/kg to achieve target anti-Xa level between 0.5 units/mL and 1 unit/mL.

Individualize the maintenance dose of FRAGMIN based on the dose that achieves target anti-Xa level collected 4 hours after administration of FRAGMIN. Monitor anti-Xa level periodically in pediatric patients to maintain anti-Xa level between 0.5 units/mL and 1 unit/mL. The 3.8 mL multiple-dose vials of FRAGMIN contain 14 mg/mL of benzyl alcohol.

Whenever possible, administer benzyl alcohol-free formulations (prefilled syringes) in pediatric patients. The 10,000 units/4 mL (2,500 units/mL) single-dose vials are preservative-free. For treatment of neonates, use this vial presentation.

Dose Reductions for Thrombocytopenia in Adult Patients with Cancer and in Pediatric Patients with Symptomatic VTE Dose reductions recommended in patients receiving FRAGMIN who experience thrombocytopenia are presented below in

Dose Reductions for Renal Insufficiency in Extended Treatment of Acute Symptomatic VTE in Adult Patients with Cancer In patients with severely impaired renal function (CrCl <30 mL/min), monitor anti-Xa levels to determine the appropriate FRAGMIN dose. Target anti-Xa range is 0.5 units/mL to 1.5 units/mL. When monitoring anti-Xa in these patients, perform sampling 4 hours to 6 hours after FRAGMIN dosing and only after the patient has received 3 to 4 doses.

• Administration Latex Allergy: Persons with latex allergies should not handle the FRAGMIN prefilled syringe because the needle shield may contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions. FRAGMIN is administered by subcutaneous injection. It must not be administered by intramuscular injection. FRAGMIN Injection should not be mixed with other injections or infusions unless specific compatibility data are available that support such mixing.
• Subcutaneous injection technique: Patients should be sitting or lying down and FRAGMIN administered by deep subcutaneous injection. FRAGMIN may be injected in a U-shape area around the navel, the upper outer side of the thigh or the upper outer quadrangle of the buttock. The injection site should be varied daily. When the area around the navel or the thigh is used, using the thumb and forefinger, you must lift up a fold of skin while giving the injection. The entire length of the needle should be inserted at a 45 to 90 degree angle. Inspect FRAGMIN prefilled syringes and vials visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. After first penetration of the rubber stopper, store the multiple-dose vials at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Discard any unused solution after 2 weeks. Instructions for using the prefilled single-dose syringes preassembled with needle guard devices Fixed dose syringes: To ensure delivery of the full dose, do not expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe before injection. Hold the syringe assembly by the open sides of the device. Remove the needle shield. Insert the needle into the injection area as instructed above. Depress the plunger of the syringe while holding the finger flange until the entire dose has been given. The needle guard will not be activated unless the entire dose has been given. Remove needle from the patient. Let go of the plunger and allow syringe to move up inside the device until the entire needle is guarded. Discard the syringe assembly in approved containers. Remove the needle shield. With the needle pointing up, prepare the syringe by expelling the air bubble and then continuing to push the plunger to the desired dose or volume, discarding the extra solution in an appropriate manner. Figure

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not accurately reflect the rates observed in practice. Hemorrhage The most commonly reported adverse reactions are hematoma at the injection site and hemorrhagic complications. The risk for bleeding varies with the indication and may increase with higher doses.

Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Table 7 summarizes major bleeding reactions that occurred with FRAGMIN, heparin, and placebo in clinical trials of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. summarizes: 1 all major bleeding reactions and, 2 other bleeding reactions possibly or probably related to treatment with FRAGMIN (preoperative dosing regimen), warfarin sodium, or heparin in two hip replacement surgery clinical trials. 2/69 7/69 Six of the patients treated with FRAGMIN experienced seven major bleeding reactions. Two of the reactions were wound hematoma (one requiring reoperation), three were bleeding from the operative site, one was intraoperative bleeding due to vessel damage, and one was gastrointestinal bleeding. Abdominal Surgery Table 9 summarizes bleeding reactions that occurred in clinical trials which studied FRAGMIN 2,500 units and 5,000 units administered once daily to abdominal surgery patients.

In a trial comparing FRAGMIN 5,000 units once daily to FRAGMIN 2,500 units once daily in patients undergoing surgery for malignancy, the incidence of bleeding reactions was 4.6% and 3.6%, respectively (n.s.). In a trial comparing FRAGMIN 5,000 units once daily to heparin 5,000 units twice daily, in the malignancy subgroup the incidence of bleeding reactions was 3.2% and 2.7%, respectively for FRAGMIN and Heparin (n.s.). Medical Patients with Severely Restricted Mobility During Acute Illness Table 10 summarizes major bleeding reactions that occurred in a clinical trial of medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness. 9/1,848 3/1,833 Three of the major bleeding reactions that occurred by Day 21 were fatal, all due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage (two patients in the group treated with FRAGMIN and one in the group receiving placebo).

Adult Patients with Cancer and Acute Symptomatic VTE Table 11 summarizes the number of patients with bleeding reactions that occurred in the clinical trial of adult patients with cancer and acute symptomatic VTE. A bleeding event was considered major if it: 1 was accompanied by a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2 g/dL in connection with clinical symptoms; 2 occurred at a critical site (intraocular, spinal/epidural, intracranial, retroperitoneal, or pericardial bleeding); 3 required transfusion of ≥2 units of blood products; or 4 led to death. Minor bleeding was classified as clinically overt bleeding that did not meet criteria for major bleeding.

One bleeding event (hemoptysis in a patient in the FRAGMIN arm at Day 71) was fatal. 8 40 Elevations of Serum Transaminases In FRAGMIN clinical trials supporting non-cancer indications, where hepatic transaminases were measured, asymptomatic increases in transaminase levels (SGOT/AST and SGPT/ALT) greater than three times the upper limit of normal of the laboratory reference range were seen in 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively, of patients during treatment with FRAGMIN. In the FRAGMIN clinical trial of patients with cancer and acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism treated with FRAGMIN for up to 6 months, asymptomatic increases in transaminase levels, AST and ALT, greater than three times the upper limit of normal of the laboratory reference range were reported in 8.9% and 9.5% of patients, respectively. Other Allergic Reactions: Allergic reactions (i.e., pruritus, rash, fever, injection site reaction, bullous eruption) have occurred.

Cases of anaphylactoid reactions have been reported. Local Reactions: Pain at the injection site was reported in 4.5% of patients treated with FRAGMIN 5,000 units once daily vs 11.8% of patients treated with heparin 5,000 units twice daily in the abdominal surgery trials. In the hip replacement trials, pain at injection site was reported in 12% of patients treated with FRAGMIN 5,000 units once daily vs 13% of patients treated with heparin 5,000 units three times a day.

Pediatric Patients with Symptomatic VTE The data below reflect exposure to FRAGMIN from two studies in pediatric patients from newborn to less than 18 years of age with or without cancer and symptomatic VTE (n = 50). Patients were started on FRAGMIN using age and weight-based dosing via subcutaneous injection twice daily. Anti-Xa levels were measured prior to the 4 th dose and then periodically to determine whether dose adjustments were required, using 25 units/kg increments, to achieve a target anti-Xa level of 0.5 units/mL to 1.0 units/mL.

The median time on treatment with FRAGMIN was 86 days (range 2 days to 170 days). Major bleeding was defined as any fatal bleeding, clinically overt bleeding with a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2g/dL in 24 hours, overt bleeding deemed by the attending physician to be unrelated to the subject's underlying condition and accompanied by blood product administration, overt bleeding that was retroperitoneal, intracranial, intraspinal, intraocular, or intraarticular, or overt bleeding deemed by the attending physician to necessitate permanent discontinuation of trial medication. Major bleeding (intestinal hematoma) occurred in one patient (2%).

Discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 12% of patients, most often due to thrombocytopenia (4%). Neonatal Patients No controlled clinical trials have been conducted with FRAGMIN in neonatal patients with VTE; however, data are available from a non‑interventional retrospective medical chart review study of 16 neonates with VTE in the UK who were admitted to hospital between January 2010 and December 2021 and were treated with FRAGMIN. The mean (±SD) duration of dalteparin treatment was 62±30 days.

For these 16 neonatal patients, the mean (±SD) daily dose of dalteparin at initiation was 365±196 units/kg (median:309 units/kg). The mean (±SD) daily dose of dalteparin including dose at initiation and dose changes was 575±320 units/kg (median: 450 units/kg). After the initial dose, all patients required one or more dose changes; 15 of 16 patients required dose increases due to anti-Xa level being initially below the target range of 0.5 units/mL to 1 units/mL.

The safety profile in neonates was similar to other pediatric patients.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of FRAGMIN. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Since first international market introduction in 1985, there have been more than 15 reports of epidural or spinal hematoma formation with concurrent use of FRAGMIN and spinal/epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture.

The majority of patients had postoperative indwelling epidural catheters placed for analgesia or received additional drugs affecting hemostasis. In some cases, the hematoma resulted in long-term or permanent paralysis (partial or complete). Musculoskeletal system: Osteoporosis Skin or subcutaneous tissues disorders: Skin necrosis, cases of alopecia reported that improved on drug discontinuation Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Hyperkalemia

The use of FRAGMIN in patients receiving oral anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors, and thrombolytic agents may increase the risk of bleeding.

Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published literature and postmarketing reports have not reported a clear association with FRAGMIN and adverse developmental outcomes. There are risks to the mother associated with untreated VTE in pregnancy, and a potential for adverse effects on the preterm infant when FRAGMIN is used in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations ). In animal reproduction studies, there was no evidence of embryo-fetal toxicity or teratogenicity when dalteparin sodium was administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 2 to 4 times (rats) and 4 times (rabbits) the human dose of 100 units/kg dalteparin based on the body surface area (see Data ).

Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, FRAGMIN should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Published data describe that women with a previous history of VTE in pregnancy are at higher risk for recurrence during subsequent pregnancies compared to those with no risk factor for VTE (4.5% versus 2.7% respectively, relative risk 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0–2.8). Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Cases of "gasping syndrome" have occurred in premature infants when large amounts of benzyl alcohol have been administered (99 mg/kg/day to 404 mg/kg/day).

The 3.8 mL multiple-dose vials of FRAGMIN contain 14 mg/mL of benzyl alcohol. These studies revealed no evidence of teratogenicity or embryo-fetal toxicity.

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of FRAGMIN for the treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients have been established in pediatric patients from birth (gestational age at least 35 weeks) to less than 17 years of age. Use of FRAGMIN for this indication is supported by evidence from well-controlled studies in adults with additional pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, efficacy, and safety data from two separate prospective studies in pediatric patients aged 1 month and older with symptomatic VTE, and a retrospective study in neonatal patients aged birth (gestational age at least 35 weeks) to 1 month with VTE. The frequency, type and severity of adverse reactions observed were generally consistent with those observed in adults.

Use preservative-free FRAGMIN in neonates and infants. Serious adverse reactions including fatal reactions and the “gasping syndrome” occurred in premature neonates and low-birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit who received benzyl alcohol preserved medications. In these cases, benzyl alcohol dosages of 99 mg/kg/day to 234 mg/kg/day produced high levels of benzyl alcohol and its metabolites in the blood and urine (blood levels of benzyl alcohol were 0.61 mmol/L to 1.378 mmol/L).

Additional adverse reactions included gradual neurological deterioration, seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, hematologic abnormalities, skin breakdown, hepatic and renal failure, hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Preterm, low-birth weight infants may be more likely to develop these reactions because they may be less able to metabolize benzyl alcohol. When prescribing FRAGMIN multiple-dose vials in infants consider the combined daily metabolic load of benzyl alcohol from all sources including FRAGMIN multiple-dose vials (FRAGMIN contains 14 mg of benzyl alcohol per mL) and other drugs containing benzyl alcohol.

The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which serious adverse reactions may occur is not known. The long-term effects of treatment with FRAGMIN in pediatric patients, including effects on growth and bone metabolism, are unknown.

• FRAGMIN is contraindicated in:
• Patients with active major bleeding.
• Patients with a history of heparin induced thrombocytopenia or heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis.
• Patients with prior hypersensitivity to dalteparin sodium (e.g., pruritis, rash, anaphylactic reactions).
• Patients undergoing Epidural/Neuraxial anesthesia, do not administer FRAGMIN; o As a treatment for unstable angina and non-Q-wave MI. o For prolonged VTE prophylaxis.
• Patients with prior hypersensitivity to heparin or pork products.
• Active major bleeding
• History of heparin induced thrombocytopenia or heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis
• Hypersensitivity to dalteparin sodium
• Hypersensitivity to heparin or pork products

An excessive dosage of FRAGMIN Injection may lead to hemorrhagic complications. These may generally be stopped by slow intravenous injection of protamine sulfate (1% solution), at a dose of 1 mg protamine for every 100 anti-Xa units of FRAGMIN given. Even with these additional doses of protamine, the APTT may remain more prolonged than would usually be found following administration of unfractionated heparin.

In all cases, the anti-Xa activity is never completely neutralized (maximum about 60% to 75%). Take particular care to avoid overdosage with protamine sulfate. Administration of protamine sulfate can cause severe hypotensive and anaphylactoid reactions.

Because fatal reactions, often resembling anaphylaxis, have been reported with protamine sulfate, give protamine sulfate only when resuscitation techniques and treatment for anaphylactic shock are readily available. For additional information, consult the labeling of Protamine Sulfate Injection, USP, products.