Cardiovascular problems are probably, together with dementia and cancer, some of the most worrying for the majority of the population, given the importance for our survival of having blood circulating normally in our bodies and the heart continuing to pump it in the usual way.

And it is a fact that a large proportion of older people suffer from some kind of heart or circulatory problem.

However, medical advances have allowed the development of drugs that can treat some of these types of diseases, such as the well-known Sintrom or the drug we will talk about throughout this article: Clexane .

What is Clexane?

We call Clexane a type of anticoagulant drug widely used in the medical field , in response to complex cardiovascular problems that endanger the life of those who suffer from them.

As an anticoagulant, its function is to reduce blood clotting, which although generally positive as it helps to stop bleeding in specific cases where this process occurs to a large extent can hinder the passage of blood and even cause a thrombus. Thus, thanks to the anticoagulant, it is possible to keep the blood circulating in a liquid and fluid manner and reduce the risk.

Clexane is a medicine whose active ingredient is enoxaparin sodium, being one of the low molecular weight heparins (which are derived from the unfractionated ones) obtained from pig intestines. It is a drug whose main route of administration is endovenous or sub-dermal, being marketed as prepared syringes. It is not applied orally or intramuscularly.

Its functions

Clexane is a drug widely used in various conditions in which it can save lives, either as a treatment or even as a prevention of some situations with mortal potential , all of them being linked to the cardiovascular system.

One of the main indications is in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, an alteration in which blood clots block one of the veins in the body , generally directed to the extremities, and which can generate important consequences (including a possible pulmonary embolism).

Also, not only during treatment but also as prevention in high-risk cases or to prevent it from happening again in people who have already suffered it before.

It is also used in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, including some types of angina pectoris and heart attacks, usually as a preliminary step or in conjunction with other medications, as well as in the prevention of recurrences. In addition, has been shown to be effective in preventing possible thrombi in cases of respiratory or heart failure , as well as in people in a coma or who must remain in a lying position (for example in a long convalescence) and even to prevent possible clots in the case of patients who must undergo hemodialysis.

It should be noted that Clexane can be used at any age from adulthood, including very advanced ages if necessary. However, there are not enough studies carried out with minors to know if it is a safe drug, being a drug that should only be applied to adults.

Possible side effects

This drug has proven to be very useful and has saved multiple lives since its discovery, but like all drugs it is not free of risks and side effects .

Firstly, and as with all anticoagulants, it should be noted that the fact that blood is prevented from clotting means that bleeding of varying severity can occur in any part of the body.

Wounds and blows that appear to be simple may bleed or generate internal haematomas of great importance, and great caution should be taken in this regard. This is the most frequent secondary symptom. Anemia due to blood loss may also occur as a result. Sometimes these hemorrhages can occur at intestinal, spinal or intracranial level, being much more dangerous.

The possibility of oedema, erythema, alopecia dermatitis or even fever has also been observed. It has been observed that in some cases the level of potassium in the blood increases excessively or even triples the levels of transaminases and other hepatic enzymes. More serious are the cases of necrosis or cutaneous vasculitis, liver lesions or thrombocytopenia that can paradoxically generate thrombosis (something that makes it necessary to periodically do a platelet count of the subject).

Contraindications

As we have seen, although it is very useful, Clexane can also generate dangerous effects, which can put certain sectors of the population at risk. This is why it has several contraindications.

One of these contraindications can be found in the cases of those people who have allergy or hypersensitivity both to this drug and to other heparins, as well as to its multiple components. It is totally contraindicated in people at high risk of bleeding , including people who are going to undergo surgery or have punctures, people with ulcers, aneurysms or vascular problems in which the vessel walls are more fragile.

Also in people with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. People with high blood levels of potassium should avoid it, and it is also not recommended in severe renal failure (with the possible exception of its use in dialysis), as well as extreme caution in the case of liver failure.

Nor is it recommended, or at least great caution and control is required, in diabetic patients due to the adrenal alterations it can cause. Patients who are underweight or obese should be monitored, as there is a greater risk of bleeding or thrombosis. The use of Clexane should be consulted in people taking other drugs. Finally, and as we have previously indicated, given that there are no data on this subject, it is contraindicated in children.

Bibliographic references:

  • Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products (2018). Clexane. Technical data sheet. [Online]. Available at: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/pdfs/es/ft/58503/FT_58503.html.pdf.