The pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous enoxaparin in end-stage renal disease

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of enoxaparin in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and determine if dosage reduction is necessary to maintain antifactor Xa activity concentrations within the therapeutic range.

Prospective, single-dose pharmacokinetic study.

University-affiliated general clinical research center.

Eight nonthrombosed patients with ESRD requiring hemodialysis.

All subjects received a single dose of enoxaparin sodium 1 mg/kg subcutaneously and had serial plasma antifactor Xa activity concentrations measured over 24 hours.

The pharmacokinetics of enoxaparin were determined from plasma antifactor Xa activity concentrations, and various multiple-dose regimens were simulated. After administration of the drug, total body clearance was 14.6 ml/minute and there was a 2-fold prolongation in antifactor Xa activity half-life compared with values reported in healthy subjects. All other pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those in healthy subjects and patients with chronic renal insufficiency. An accumulation ratio of 1.6 was estimated for a dosing interval of every 12 hours based on single-dose pharmacokinetics. When various therapeutic regimens were simulated to predict average steady-state antifactor Xa activity, standard enoxaparin dosages of 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours and 1.5 mg/kg every 24 hours resulted in average steady-state concentrations within the therapeutic range.

Based on antifactor Xa activity, ESRD has little effect on the pharmacokinetics of enoxaparin, and dosing adjustments are unnecessary.