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Thromb Haemost 2012; 107(02): 302-314
DOI: 10.1160/TH11-09-0664
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Structure and haemostatic effects of generic versions of enoxaparin available for clinical use in Brazil: Similarity to the original drug

Bianca F. Glauser
1   Laboratório de Tecido Conjuntivo, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2   Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Bruno C. Vairo
1   Laboratório de Tecido Conjuntivo, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2   Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Stephan-Nicollas M. C. G. Oliveira
1   Laboratório de Tecido Conjuntivo, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2   Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Leonardo P. Cinelli
3   Laboratório de Glicofármacos, Instituto Macaé de Metrologia e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, Brazil
,
Mariana S. Pereira
1   Laboratório de Tecido Conjuntivo, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2   Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
,
Paulo A.S. Mourão
1   Laboratório de Tecido Conjuntivo, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2   Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 26 September 2011

Accepted after major revision: 20 January 2011

Publication Date:
29 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Patent protection for enoxaparin has expired. Generic preparations are developed and approved for clinical use in different countries. However, there is still skepticism about the possibility of making an exact copy of the original drug due to the complex processes involved in generating low-molecular-weight heparins. We have undertaken a careful analysis of generic versions of enoxaparin available for clinical use in Brazil. Thirty-three batches of active ingredient and 70 of the final pharmaceutical product were obtained from six different suppliers. They were analysed for their chemical composition, molecular size distribution, in vitro anticoagulant activity and pharmacological effects on animal models of experimental thrombosis and bleeding. Clearly, the generic versions of enoxaparin available for clinical use in Brazil are similar to the original drug. Only three out of 33 batches of active ingredient from one supplier showed differences in molecular size distribution, resulting from a low percentage of tetrasaccharide or the presence of a minor component eluted as monosaccharide. Three out of 70 batches of the final pharmaceutical products contained lower amounts of the active ingredient than that declared by the suppliers. Our results suggest that the generic versions of enoxaparin are a viable therapeutic option, but their use requires strict regulations to ensure accurate standards.

Keywords

Low-molecular-weight-heparins - generic drugs - anticoagulants - heparin - antithrombotic agents
 

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