Therefore, the easy conversion and representation of the anti-Xa activity of enoxaparin works in its favor in terms of ease of prescribing, dosing, dispensing and administration.
About Us Disclaimer Contact Us. Toggle navigation. Please enter text to search. Search by Outlines. Set Search Limits. Due to the differences in anti-Xa:anti-IIa activity ratios between the agents, their dosing is based on international units IU; or anti-Xa activity or IU per kg.
This nomenclature can be confusing to some clinicians and require additional mathematical calculations to appropriately dispense and administer. However, enoxaparin is able to be dosed in mg or mg per kg because of its easy conversion 1 mg inhibits anti-Xa units. So instead of the dose being anti-Xa units per kg for treatment doses of enoxaparin, clinicians can use 1 mg per kg depending on indication and renal function. After a patient has surgery, such as hip or knee replacement or in some cases abdominal surgery, enoxaparin is often used for several days to up to a month to prevent blood clots.
This medicine is also used to prevent blood clots in patients confined to bed and also for patients experiencing chest pain and heart attacks. LMWH and heparin are both used to prevent blood from clotting inside the body, but are used in different situations.
Enoxaparin is marketed under the brand name Lovenox and as a generic drug under the name enoxaparin sodium for injection. Generic medications approved by FDA are as safe and effective as their brand name counterparts and are usually much less expensive and offer alternatives to patients and prescribers.
FDA has determined that none of these brand products can be used interchangeably with one another. This means that when a doctor writes a prescription for one of these brand products, a pharmacist should not substitute another brand product when filling the prescription without checking with the physician. FDA has approved two generic versions of Lovenox. FDA has determined that approved generic enoxaparin can be substituted for Lovenox.
Applications to FDA for approval of generic enoxaparin were submitted in the early to mid s. Why has it taken so long for FDA to approve generic versions of enoxaparin?
How did the complex chemical structure of enoxaparin affect generic approval? Enoxaparin is a complex mixture of oligosaccharides chains of sugar that vary in chemical structure and size. It is made from heparin by chemically breaking up the larger heparin chains into smaller fragments. The complex chemical features of enoxaparin are determined by both the qualities of the heparin and the chemical process used to cleave the heparin into enoxaparin.
Generic enoxaparin sodium must have the same active ingredient as Lovenox. FDA scientists established a scientific approach for demonstrating active ingredient sameness that takes into consideration the complexity of enoxaparin. In both groups the thromboprophylaxis was started the evening before the operation. We found a statistically significant increase in postoperative wound and drain-site discharge and in number of days with elevated body temperature in the Clexane group.
Even though the Clexane group received an average of 1. Lovenox carries an increased risk of spinal epidural hematoma, or a collection of blood around the spinal cord. A spinal epidural hematoma can lead to complications or paralysis. Lovenox is an injectable anticoagulant, or blood thinner.
It is also classified as a low molecular weight heparin. It is usually administered once or twice daily as a subcutaneous injection. The generic name of Lovenox is enoxaparin. Heparin is also known as standard or unfractionated heparin. It is available in generic or brand-name versions. Heparin is administered as an intravenous or subcutaneous injection.
It is usually given in a hospital setting, although some forms of heparin can be administered at home. Lovenox and heparin are not the same.
Although Lovenox and heparin are both anticoagulants, they have differences in formulation and FDA-approved uses. Lovenox and heparin are both effective for treating and preventing blood-clotting conditions like deep vein thrombosis DVT and pulmonary embolism PE. The long half-life of Lovenox means it can be dosed once daily. Compared to Lovenox, heparin needs to be dosed more frequently and at higher doses because of its short half-life.
Lovenox or heparin are generally safe and effective for treating thromboembolic disorders during pregnancy. Both anticoagulants do not cross the placenta. However, low molecular weight heparins LMWHs , like Lovenox, are preferred for treating blood clots in pregnant women. Healthcare providers recommend limiting or avoiding alcohol while using Lovenox or heparin. Alcohol can act as a blood thinner , which may lead to an increased risk of bleeding when alcohol is combined with an anticoagulant drug.
Low molecular weight heparins LMWHs are often used instead of heparin. Lovenox enoxaparin , Fragmin dalteparin , and Innohep tinzaparin are examples of LMWHs that can be used to treat or prevent blood clots. Direct oral anticoagulants DOACs , which come in pill form, are also widely used instead of heparin. Lovenox enoxaparin is used for anticoagulation and thromboprophylaxis. It can help treat or prevent blood clots that could form in blood vessels. Lovenox can help treat blood clots that form in the legs or arms deep vein thrombosis or clots that become lodged in the lungs pulmonary embolism.
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