medical abbers!!!

[ilovemarkb]

Does anyone know why tinzaparin is given as a subcut and not an oral tablet? thanks

[Sqad]

Because it is not absorbed from the gut.

[Sqad]

P.S that was a guess;-)

[ilovemarkb]

thanks sqad!. as a student im not allowed any thoughts or opinions so whatever i say has to backed up by a book...journal....reliable website....dont supose you know where will back up your info? thanks

[Sqad]

ilove...sorry...I very rarely use the internet.......just experience and try to work it out.

My reply, was based on the fact that these anticoagulants like heparin etc have such large molecules that they are poorly absorbed through the GI ract.

ABers slaney and Lazygun are academic scientists and if they see your post, I am sure that they will give you the advice and links that you require.

[ilovemarkb]

apparantly.....It is a form of heparin, which is a polysacharride molecule (like a carbohydrate, in effect). If given orally it would be broken down by amylases in the stomach/duodenum. huh? and thanks eddie ill have a look

[ilovemarkb]

thanks sqad you pipped me to the post!!

[Sqad]

Eddie...yes...ilove knows..........but why not tablet form?

[bobjugs12]

I'm guessing because the half-life for Tinzaparin is relatively short (3-4 hours) compared to, say Warfarin (1-2 days) it needs to go via the quickest absorption route.
Figures from Medscape, iPhone app used by 90% of the Ambulance service

[bobjugs12]

Pipped to the post and proven wrong. How depressing.
Oh well

[LazyGun]

Nothing much to add to Sqads response really. Poor absorption from the gut due in part to its size, and also its negative charge, mean that the best route of absorption is either via IV or subcut administration.

There is a recognition that LMWH is in many ways a superior anticoagulant to warfarin, the main problem with it being the need to administer LMWH IV or subcut. There has been some work done on adapting heparin by attaching it to a carrier molecule that would allow from absorption from the gut. Should they perfect this method, it would prove to be an extremely useful oral anticoagulant, but they still have some way to go, i think.

For general reference;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heparin

Development of an oral heparin anticoagulant ;
http://www.thrombosisjournal.com/content/4/1/6

[Sqad]

Lazygun....;-)....you never disappoint.

[ilovemarkb]

arhhhh thankyou very much xxxx