Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent or treat blood clots in your body. It is commonly used in the prevention or treatment of deep vein thrombosis, a medical condition in which harmful blood clots form in the large veins of the legs. This condition can sometimes occur after hip or knee replacement surgery or abdominal surgery, because of the patient's temporary inability to walk and circulate the blood properly. Enoxaparin can also be used to prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries of your heart and may be used for certain types of heart disease.

Enoxaparin comes in injectable form and is given as a shot under the skin (subcutaneously), usually in the upper thigh, around the navel, or in the buttocks, one or two times each day. Your exact dose and length of treatment with enoxaparin can only be determined by your doctor.

Enoxaparin Facts
Brand name (manufacturer): Lovenox (Aventis)

Type of drug: Anticoagulant
 (blood thinner)

Ingredient: Enoxaparin

Dosage form: Injection (prefilled syringes of 30 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 90 mg, 100 mg, 120 mg, and 150 mg)

Storage: Store this medication at room temperature, away from light and heat.

Treatment

Enoxaparin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is kept constant. It is best to administer this medication at exact, evenly spaced intervals as directed by your doctor. When used exactly as directed by your doctor, this medication will help control the development of blood clots associated with several different medical conditions.

Complete instructions on using enoxaparin should be included with the medication. Be sure to review those instructions before using enoxaparin. If you have any questions, be sure to contact your doctor or pharmacist. In many cases, you will be trained by a nurse or other health care specialist on how to inject this medication and how to monitor for side effects.

Since enoxaparin is given by injection, you will need a special container to dispose of used needles and syringes. Also, check the vial before using; the solution should be clear. Do not use the medication if there are floating particles or if the solution has a color. Do not mix enoxaparin with any other medications or dilute the solution. The contents of an open vial should not be saved for later use.

If you miss a dose of enoxaparin, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.

Side Effects

Minor: Increased menstrual bleeding; irritation, pain, or redness at the site of injection; nausea; or vomiting. These side effects should become less bothersome as your body adjusts to the medication; contact your doctor if any of these side effects continues.

Major: Remember to tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about bleeding from your nose or mouth or from a surgical wound; blood in the urine; bloody or black, tarry stools; collection of blood under the skin, coughing up blood; fever; headache; inability to move; irritability; kidney problems; low blood pressure; moderate to severe pain or numbness in the arms; shortness of breath; rapid breathing; severe rash; trouble breathing; unusual tiredness or weakness; or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

Interactions

Enoxaparin interacts with other types of medications. The use of enoxaparin with certain other medicines may increase your risk of bleeding from the enoxaparin. While taking enoxaparin, do not use aspirin, valproic acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (including pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen), ticlopidine, plicamycin, or other medicines unless you first discuss potential drug interactions with your doctor or pharmacist.

BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any drugs you are currently taking.

Warnings
  • Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin, dalteparin, tinzaparin, or any other medication. It is especially important to tell your doctor if you have ever had thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets).

  • Tell your doctor if you now have or ever had blood-vessel disease or bleeding problems, septic shock, seizures, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, peptic ulcers, heart disease, intestinal problems, or miscarriage.

  • It is important to notify your doctor if you have recently given birth, fallen, or suffered an injury to your head or other part of your body. In addition, tell your doctor if you have had recent medical or dental surgery. These events may increase your chance of bleeding and other side effects from the enoxaparin.

  • If excessive bruising occurs during injection of this medication, it may be reduced by preapplying an ice-cube massage to the site where the next injection will be given.

  • Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of using enoxaparin during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans. Also be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Mothers who are using enoxaparin and who wish to continue to breast-feed their infants should discuss the potential risks with their doctor.