A slide element for a wedge drive, with a slide element receptacle and a drive element between which the slide element is to be placed. In order to achieve a high wear resistance and a simple design, it is proposed for the slide element to have a head rail, which is detachably fastened to the slide element and, as part of the dovetail-shaped side of the slide element, forms the second sliding surfaces on the dovetail-shaped section, by means of which forces are transmitted during the return stroke during which the slide element receptacle is moved away from the drive element.