Definition

The sodium salt of enoxaparin, a low molecular weight, synthetic heparin. As an anticoagulant/antithrombotic agent, enoxaprin’s mechanism of action is similar to that of heparin, although it exhibits a higher ratio of anti-Factor Xa to anti-Factor IIa activity. This agent also has anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting monocyte adhesion to tumor necrosis factor alpha- or lipopolysaccharide-activated endothelial cells. Compared to unfractionated heparins, the use of enoxaparin is associated with lower incidences of osteoporosis and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.