enoxaparin Health Article

Generic name(s):

enoxaparin

Brand name(s):

Lovenox

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 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 using 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 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.