Clexane and Enoxaparin Are the Same Medication
Clexane is simply a brand name for enoxaparin sodium, the generic drug name—they are identical medications with the same active pharmaceutical ingredient. 1
Understanding the Nomenclature
- Enoxaparin is the generic (chemical) name for this low-molecular-weight heparin, while Clexane is one of several brand names used internationally 1
- In the United States, this same medication is marketed under the brand name Lovenox 1
- All formulations contain enoxaparin sodium as the active ingredient, manufactured through alkaline hydrolysis of the benzyl ester of unfractionated heparin 2
Pharmacological Identity
- Whether labeled as Clexane, Lovenox, or generic enoxaparin, the medication has identical pharmacological properties: a 4:1 ratio of Factor Xa to thrombin activity, reduced binding to plasma proteins compared to unfractionated heparin, and a longer half-life 3
- The manufacturing process (benzylation followed by alkaline depolymerization) produces the same molecular weight distribution and anti-Xa/anti-IIa ratios regardless of brand name 4
Critical Caveat: Biosimilar Products
- Not all "enoxaparin" products are necessarily identical—biosimilar versions of enoxaparin exist that may have subtle differences in compositional profile, even though they share the same generic name 3
- The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis requires biosimilar enoxaparin products to demonstrate identical compositional profiles, pass preclinical investigations, and potentially undergo clinical trials if any differences are detected 3
- When switching between originator enoxaparin (Clexane/Lovenox) and biosimilar versions, exercise caution as outcomes cannot be extrapolated between different patient populations, and at least one major bleeding complication has been reported following such a switch 3
Practical Implications
- Prescriptions written for "enoxaparin," "Clexane," or "Lovenox" can be filled interchangeably with the originator product in most healthcare systems 1
- All dosing recommendations, clinical trial data, and safety profiles apply equally whether the medication is labeled Clexane or enoxaparin 2, 5
- The American Heart Association and other guideline societies use "enoxaparin" in their recommendations, which applies to all brand formulations of the originator product 3, 6