What is enoxaparin?
Enoxaparin is a blood thinner, also called anticoagulant (an-tye-koe-AG-yoo-lant). Enoxaparin
prevents the formation of blood clots.
Enoxaparin is used to prevent blood clots that are sometimes called deep vein thrombosis
(DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs. A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or
in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness. DVT sometimes occurs suddenly for other
reasons.
Enoxaparin is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of
angina (chest pain) or heart attacks called non-Q-wave myocardial infarction or ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction.
Enoxaparin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking enoxaparin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, or pork
products, or if you have:
Before receiving enoxaparin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs,
or if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease;
-
bacterial infection of the lining of your heart;
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
-
uncontrolled or untreated high blood pressure;
-
a stomach ulcer;
-
eye problems caused by diabetes;
-
a history of hemorrhagic stroke;
-
a history of low blood platelets caused by receiving
heparin;
-
if you have recently had surgery on your brain, spine, or
eyes;
-
if you have an artificial heart valve.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment. If you are pregnant, tell your doctor if you have an artificial heart valve.
It is not known whether enoxaparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take enoxaparin?
Enoxaparin is given as an injection under the skin, or through a needle placed into a vein. Your
doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to
inject your medicine 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 and syringes.
Do not inject enoxaparin into a muscle.
Your care provider will show you the places on your body where you can safely inject the
medication. Enoxaparin injections under the skin are usually given on the sides of the stomach,
alternating between left and right sides. Use a different place in these injection areas each time you use
this medication. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Enoxaparin is a clear, colorless liquid. It may appear slightly yellow. Do not use this medicine if
it has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Use each disposable needle and syringe only one time. Throw away used needles and syringes
in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it).
Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Enoxaparin may be given for only a couple of days or for up to 2 weeks or longer, depending
on the reason you are using it. Follow your doctor's instructions.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often.
This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with enoxaparin. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
You will most likely be treated with other medications such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read
the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change
your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of
time that you are using enoxaparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time,
especially if you will be receiving spinal or epidural anesthesia (also called spinal block). This type of
anesthesia can increase the risk of paralysis in people who are also using enoxaparin.
Store enoxaparin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of enoxaparin?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until
then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
use extra medicine to
make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about enoxaparin?
Your pharmacist has information about enoxaparin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of enoxaparin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
bleeding that won't stop;
-
pale skin, easy bruising, unusual weakness;
-
swelling, bruising, or bleeding where an incision was made
during a surgery or other medical procedure;
-
sudden numbness or weakness, headache, confusion,
problems with vision, speech, or balance;
-
pain or swelling in one or both legs;
-
cough, chest pain, trouble breathing; or
-
slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly
feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, diarrhea;
-
swelling in your hands or feet; or
-
mild swelling, pain, bruising, or redness where the medicine
was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about enoxaparin?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, or pork
products, or if you have any type of major bleeding or a very low blood platelet count.
Before receiving enoxaparin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
kidney or liver disease, a heart infection, any bleeding or clotting disorder, high blood pressure,
diabetes, a stomach ulcer, an artificial heart valve, or a history of stroke or recent brain or spine
surgery.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often.
This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with enoxaparin. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
You will most likely be treated with other medications such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. During your
treatment with enoxaparin, do not use any other medications unless your doctor tells you to.
If you need to have any type of surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of
time that you are using enoxaparin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time,
especially if you will be receiving spinal or epidural anesthesia (also called spinal block). This type of
anesthesia may increase the risk of paralysis in people who are also using enoxaparin.
What should I avoid while taking enoxaparin?
During your treatment with enoxaparin, avoid taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), or any type of blood thinners unless your doctor tells you to. Using these medications
together with enoxaparin can increase your risk of bleeding.
What other drugs will affect enoxaparin?
Before you receive enoxaparin, tell your doctor about any blood thinners you have been
using recently, such as warfarin (Coumadin).
The following drugs can interact with enoxaparin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
-
sulfinpyrazone (Anturane);
-
salicylates such as Novasal, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex,
Tricosal, and others;
-
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin),
ketorolac (Toradol), and others; or
-
medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase
(Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine),
streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
enoxaparin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of enoxaparin?
