A hemisynthetic, ultra low molecular weight heparin with high anti-Xa activity and minimal anti-IIa activity
Average molecular weight is 2000-3000 daltons, with a half-life of 16-20 hours
Following subcutaneous injection, 98% of the drug is bio available with a maximum plasma anti-Xa activity at 2-3 hours.
Excretion is primarily renal.
In a double-blind, multi center trial (SAVE-ONCO) evaluating the safety and efficacy of ultraslow-molecular weight heparin semuloparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer: venous thromboembolism occurred in 1.2% of patients on semuloparin , as compared with 3.4% in patients receiving placebo, with no increase in bleeding episodes (Agnelli G et al).