Skip to content

Dalteparin (Fragmin)

Overview

Field Detail
Drug class Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
Stock vial 10,000 U/mL pre-filled syringe or vial
Reconstituted conc. N/A (Ready to use)
Storage Room temp

Preparation

Before you start

Ensure the vial or syringe contains 10,000 U/mL. Check expiry and integrity. Note that this is a common cause of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions.

Equipment needed

  • 1 × Dalteparin 10,000 U/mL syringe/vial
  • Normal saline (NS) — for IDT dilutions
  • 1 mL syringes × 5 (for test doses/dilutions)
  • 25 G needles

Step 1 — Prepare the SPT solution (10,000 U/mL — neat)

  1. Draw up 0.5–1 mL of the stock (10,000 U/mL) into a 1 mL syringe.
  2. Label: "Dalteparin SPT 10,000 U/mL".

Step 2 — Prepare IDT dilutions

Prepare in this order, using a fresh syringe for each step.

  1. IDT 1,000 U/mL (1:10):

    • Draw 0.1 mL of stock (10,000 U/mL) into a 1 mL syringe. Add 0.9 mL NS. Mix. (This is 1,000 U/mL — 1:10).
    • Label: "Dalteparin IDT 1,000 U/mL".

  2. IDT 100 U/mL (1:100):

    • Draw 0.1 mL of the 1,000 U/mL syringe into a new 1 mL syringe. Add 0.9 mL NS. Mix. (This is 100 U/mL — 1:100).
    • Label: "Dalteparin IDT 100 U/mL".

  3. IDT 10 U/mL (1:1,000):

    • Draw 0.1 mL of the 100 U/mL syringe into a new 1 mL syringe. Add 0.9 mL NS. Mix. (This is 10 U/mL — 1:1,000).
    • Label: "Dalteparin IDT 10 U/mL".

Skin prick test (SPT)

Reagent Concentration
Test solution Neat (10,000 U/mL)
Positive control Histamine 10 mg/mL
Negative control Normal saline

Interpretation: Wheal ≥3 mm vs negative control = positive.

Intradermal test (IDT)

Dilution series

Step Dilution Concentration Preparation
1 1:1,000 10 U/mL 0.1 mL of 100 U/mL + 0.9 mL NS
2 1:100 100 U/mL 0.1 mL of 1,000 U/mL + 0.9 mL NS
3 1:10 1,000 U/mL 0.1 mL neat + 0.9 mL NS

Inject: 0.05 mL intradermal. Read at 15–20 minutes.