ENOXAPARIN SODIUM

Enoxaparinum natricum

DEFINITION

Enoxaparin sodium is the sodium salt of a low-molecular-mass heparin that is obtained by alkaline depolymerisation of the benzyl ester derivative of heparin from porcine intestinal mucosa. Enoxaparin consists of a complex set of oligosaccharides that have not yet been completely characterised. Based on current knowledge, the majority of the components have a 4-enopyranose uronate structure at the non-reducing end of their chain. 15 per cent to 25 per cent of the components have a 1,6-anhydro structure at the reducing end of their chain.

Enoxaparin sodium complies with the monograph Low-molecular-mass heparins (0828) with the modifications and additional requirements below.

The mass-average relative molecular mass ranges between 3800 and 5000, with a characteristic value of about 4500.

The degree of sulfatation is about 2 per disaccharide unit.

The potency is not less than 90 IU and not more than 125 IU of anti-factor Xa activity per milligram, calculated with reference to the dried substance. The anti-factor IIa activity is not less than 20.0 IU and not more than 35.0 IU per milligram, calculated with reference to the dried substance. The ratio of anti-factor Xa activity to anti-factor IIa activity is between 3.3PRODUCTION

Enoxaparin is produced by alkaline depolymerisation of benzyl ester derivatives of heparin from porcine intestinal mucosa under conditions that yield a product complying with the structural requirements stated under Definition.

IDENTIFICATION

Carry out identification test A as described in the monograph Low-molecular-mass heparins (0828) using enoxaparin sodium CRS.

Carry out identification test C as described in the monograph Low-molecular-mass heparins (0828). The following requirements apply.

The mass-average relative molecular mass ranges between 3800 and 5000. The mass percentage of chains lower than 2000 ranges between 12.0 per cent and 20.0 per cent. The mass percentage of chains between 2000 and 8000 ranges between 68.0 per cent and 82.0 per cent.

TESTS

Appearance of solution. The solution is clear (2.2.1) and not more intensely coloured than intensity 6 of the range of reference solutions of the most appropriate colour (2.2.2, Method II).

Dissolve 1.0 g in 10 mL of water R.

pH (2.2.3): 6.2 to 7.7.

Dissolve 1.0 g in carbon dioxide-free water R and dilute to 10.0 mL with the same solvent. Specific absorbance (2.2.25): 14.0 to 20.0 (dried substance), determined at 231 nm. Dissolve 50.0 mg in 100 mL of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid.

Benzyl alcohol. Liquid chromatography (2.2.29).

Internal standard solution: 1 g/L solution of 3,4-dimethylphenol R in methanol R.

Test solution. Dissolve about 0.500 g of the substance to be examined in 5.0 mL of 1 M sodium hydroxide. Allow to stand for 1 h. Add 1.0 mL of glacial acetic acid R and 1.0 mL of the internal standard solution and dilute to 10.0 mL with water R.

Reference solution. Prepare a 0.25 g/L solution of benzyl alcohol R in water R. Mix 0.50 mL of this solution with 1.0 mL of the internal standard solution and dilute to 10.0 mL with water R.

Precolumn:

— size: l = 0.02 m, Ø = 4.6 mm;

— stationary phase: octylsilyl silica gel for chromatography R (5 µm).

Column:

— size: l = 0.15 m, Ø = 4.6 mm;

— stationary phase: octylsilyl silica gel for chromatography R (5 µm).

Mobile phase: methanol R, acetonitrile R, water R (5:15:80 V/V/V).

Flow rate: 1 mL/min.

Detection: spectrophotometer at 256 nm.

From the chromatogram obtained with the reference solution, calculate the ratio (R

1) of the

height of the peak due to benzyl alcohol to the height of the peak due to the internal standard. From the chromatogram obtained with the test solution, calculate the ratio (R

2

) ofCalculate the percentage content (m/m) of benzyl alcohol using the following expression:

m = mass of the substance to be examined, in grams.

Limit:

— benzyl alcohol: maximum 0.1 per cent m/m.

Sodium (2.2.23, Method I): 11.3 per cent to 13.5 per cent (dried substance).下载本文