Lovenox (enoxaparin) for DVT Side Effects, Pregnancy, Injection

What brand names are available for enoxaparin?

Lovenox

Is enoxaparin available as a generic drug?

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Do I need a prescription for enoxaparin?

Yes

What are the uses for enoxaparin?

Lovenox is used for preventing deep vein thrombosis
after abdominal surgery, or hip or
knee replacement surgeries, and in patients
with reduced mobility due to illness.
It is used both in and out of the hospital
for treating deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Lovenox also is
used for preventing a second
heart attack and related complications after a
heart attack and for preventing blood clots in arterial
stents.

What are the side effects of enoxaparin?

Common side effect associated with Lovenox are:

Bleeding
Fever
Nausea
Diarrhea
Fluid retention

Other possible side effects include:

Abnormal
liver tests in the blood
Mild local irritation
pain
Local injection site reaction

Possible serious side
effects include:

Liver damage
A reduction in blood platelets
Red
blood cells (anemia)
Major bleeding
Hematoma
Ecchymosis
Erythema
Atrial fibrillation
Heart failure
Pulmonary edema
Hypersensitivity reactions
Pneumonia
Osteoporosis
Skin necrosis
Increased potassium
levels
Anemia
Prosthetic heart valve thrombosis

What is the dosage for enoxaparin?

Lovenox is administered by injection under the skin
(subcutaneous) or intravenously.

Preventing deep vein thrombosis after abdominal surgery: 40 mg
subcutaneous injection once daily.
Preventing deep vein thrombosis after knee replacement: 30 mg
subcutaneous injection every 12 hours.
Preventing deep vein thrombosis after hip replacement: 30 mg every 12
hours or 40 mg once daily by subcutaneous injection.
Preventing deep vein thrombosis in ill patients with limited mobility:
40 mg subcutaneous injection once daily.
Treatment of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism: 1 mg/kg every
12 hours or 1.5 mg/kg once daily by subcutaneous injection.
Outpatient treatment of deep vein thrombosis: 1 mg/kg subcutaneous
injection every 12 hours.
Treatment of severe heart attacks (ST elevation myocardial infarction or
STEMI): For patients under the age of 75, 30 mg intravenously plus 1 mg/kg
subcutaneously followed by 1 mg/kg every 12 hours (maximum of 100 mg for
each of the first two subcutaneous doses only). For patients over age 75,
0.75 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours (maximum of 75 mg for each of the
first two subcutaneous doses only). All patients should receive aspirin.
Doses should be reduced in patients with impaired kidney function.
Treatment of chest pain (unstable angina) or mild heart attack
(non-Q-wave myocardial infarction): 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours
with aspirin.
For coronary artery stent procedures (percutaneous coronary intervention
or PCI): Patients should receive 0.3 mg/kg during stent placement if the
last dose of Lovenox was administered more than 8 hours before the
procedure.

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Which drugs or supplements interact with enoxaparin?

Medications that increase the risk of bleeding will
add to the effects of Lovenox and further increase the risk of bleeding that
is associated with Lovenox. Such medications include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix),
warfarin (Coumadin), other anticoagulants, and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs such as
ibuprofen (Motrin;
Advil),
naproxen (Naprosyn),
diclofenac (Voltaren),
and others.

QUESTION

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs in the _______________.
See Answer

Is enoxaparin safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

Lovenox does not cross the placenta and shows no
evidence of effects on the fetus. It often is used during
pregnancy as an
alternative to oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin), which cannot be
safely used during pregnancy.
Lovenox multiple-dose vials contain benzyl
alcohol as a preservative. Benzyl alcohol has been associated with a fatal “gasping syndrome” in premature neonates.
Lovenox vials preserved with benzyl alcohol should be used with caution in
pregnant women and only if clearly needed because benzyl alcohol may cross the placenta.
It is not known if Lovenox is excreted in breast
milk. Since most medicines are excreted in breast milk, it is recommended that
women receiving Lovenox should not
breastfeed.

What else should I know about enoxaparin?

What preparations of enoxaparin are available?

Lovenox is available in pre-filled syringes
containing 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 150 mg.
Multiple dose vial: 300 mg

How should I keep enoxaparin stored?

All Lovenox products should be stored at room temperature, between
15 and 30 C (59 and 86 F).