Low Molecular Weight Heparins (LMWH) like enoxaparin have the following advantages over unfractionated heparin (UFH):
1. Predictable pharmacokinetics and predictable plasma levels mainly because they don’t bind to plasma proteins, macrophages or endothelial cells
2. Thus no need of monitoring except in some conditions like renal failure, obesity and pregnancy
3. Increased bioavailability (90%)
4. Increased half life and thus decreased frequency of dosing
5. Decreased risk of Heparin induced thrombocytopenia, osteoporosis
Disadvantages include:
1. Not fully reversed by protamine
2. More caution in renal failure
3. More expensive
They both (UFH and LMWH) have EQUAL efficacy…..Reference Basic & General Pharmacology by Bertram Katzung 12th Edition
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