enoxaparin

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: ee nox AP a rin

Brand: Lovenox

What is the most important information I should know about enoxaparin?

You should not use this medicine if you have active bleeding, or a low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using enoxaparin.

Enoxaparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you are using other drugs that can affect blood clotting, including blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, and others). This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.

Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

What is enoxaparin?

Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.

Enoxaparin is used to treat or prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness.

Enoxaparin is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attack.

Enoxaparin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using enoxaparin?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, benzyl alcohol, or pork products, or if you have:

  • active or uncontrolled bleeding; or
  • a low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using enoxaparin.

Enoxaparin may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have:

  • a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;
  • hemorrhagic stroke;
  • an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);
  • stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer; or
  • recent brain, spine, or eye surgery.

Enoxaparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause long-term or permanent paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:

  • you have a spinal cord injury;
  • you have a spinal catheter in place or if a catheter has been recently removed;
  • you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps;
  • you have recently had a spinal tap or epidural anesthesia;
  • you are taking an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)--ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
  • you are using a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin) or other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.

To make sure enoxaparin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • kidney or liver disease;
  • uncontrolled high blood pressure;
  • eye problems caused by diabetes;
  • recent stomach ulcer; or
  • if you have ever had low blood platelets after receiving heparin.

FDA pregnancy category B. Enoxaparin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, some forms of this medication contain a preservative that may be harmful to a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. If you use this medication during pregnancy, make sure your doctor knows if you have a mechanical heart valve.

It is not known whether enoxaparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I use enoxaparin?

Enoxaparin is usually given every day until your bleeding condition improves. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Enoxaparin is injected under the skin or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

You should be sitting or lying down during the injection. Do not inject enoxaparin into a muscle.

Use a different place on your stomach each time you give an injection under the skin. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject the medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. Do not mix enoxaparin with other medications in the same IV. Do not use enoxaparin if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.

Use a disposable needle only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using enoxaparin. If you need surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using this medication.

While using enoxaparin, your blood and your stool (bowel movement) may need to be tested often. Your nerve and muscle function may also need to be tested.

Store enoxaparin vials (bottles) at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Once you have used a vial for the first time, the medicine will keep at room temperature for up to 28 days. Throw away the vial after 28 days have passed since you first used the vial, even if there is still medicine left in it.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose may cause excessive bleeding.

What should I avoid while using enoxaparin?

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

What are the possible side effects of enoxaparin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; itching or burning skin; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot: back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), bleeding from wounds or needle injections, any bleeding that will not stop;
  • easy bruising, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
  • black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • sudden weakness, severe headache, confusion, or problems with speech, vision, or balance; or
  • trouble breathing.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, diarrhea;
  • fever;
  • swelling in your hands or feet; or
  • mild pain, irritation, redness, or swelling where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect enoxaparin?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with enoxaparin, especially other medicines used to treat or prevent blood clots, such as:

  • abciximab, anagrelide, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, eptifibatide, ticlopidine, tirofiban;
  • alteplase, reteplase, tenecteplase, urokinase;
  • apixaban, argatroban, bivalirudin, dabigatran, desirudin, fondaparinux, lepirudin, rivaroxaban, tinzaparin; or
  • heparin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with enoxaparin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about enoxaparin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.07. Revision date: 4/13/2014.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.