Brand Name

Lovenox {Sanofi}

Generic Name

enoxaparin, pronounced ee nox AP a rin

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Lovenox?

Lovenox is a medication that is known as a blood thinner, or an anticoagulant. Your doctor may have prescribed Lovenox for you to prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT. A deep vein thrombosis may occur after certain surgeries, or in people who may be bed-ridden due to a long-term illness. DVT may lead to blood clots in the lungs, also known as pulmonary embolisms. Lovenox is also effective at preventing blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina or who are at risk for a heart attack. Lovenox may also be prescribed for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Lovenox

Lovenox is in a class of medications called anticoagulants, or blood thinners. Because Lovenox can cause you to bleed more easily you should be cautious when taking this medication.

Lovenox may give you an enhanced risk for bleeding if you have a prior condition that causes you to bleed more easily, such as a hemorrhagic stroke, an infection in the lining of your heart, stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcers, or if you have had recent brain, eye, or spine surgery.

There is a risk that Lovenox can cause a very serious blood clot around your brain or spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia, also known as an epidural, and take this medication. This is particularly important to note if you have a genetic spinal defect, a history of spinal surgery, prior repeated spinal taps, or if you are using other medications to treat or prevent blood clots.

You may have a serious reaction to Lovenox if you take it with another medication. It is very important for you to tell your doctor about all of the drugs you take, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal products. There are many medications which may increase your risk of blood clots around the brain or spinal cord if you use Lovenox with these drugs. You should not take Lovenox with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil or Motrin, or other anticoagulant medications.

Lovenox is in FDA pregnancy category B. Lovenox is not known to harm an unborn baby. There are some forms of Lovenox that contain a preservative that may be harmful to a baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment, and if you are being treated with Lovenox and are pregnant be sure that your doctor knows if you have a mechanical heart valve. We do not know if Lovenox passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking Lovenox

Before You Take Lovenox

If you are allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, benzyl alcohol, or pork products you should not take Lovenox.

You should not take Lovenox if you have active or uncontrolled bleeding.

Tell your doctor if you have low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using Lovenox, or if you have low blood platelets after receiving heparin.

If you have an infection of the lining of your heart called bacterial endocarditis, intestinal bleeding or a stomach ulcer, or a recent head injury, aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain you may not be a candidate to take Lovenox.

Tell your doctor if you have recently had or plan to have any type of surgery in the near future, especially brain, spine, or eye surgery, or if you will undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (an epidural).

If you have diabetes or eye problems caused by diabetes you should talk to your doctor before taking Lovenox.

Lovenox may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have a history of bleeding problems, an inherited bleeding disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, severe heart disease, cancer, a recent surgery or medical emergency, any disease which affects the blood vessels in your brain or a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you feel that any of these concerns apply to your situation.

Lovenox Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• abciximab (ReoPro)
• alteplase (Activase)
• bivalirudin (Angiomax)
• cilostazol (Pletal)
• clopidogrel (Plavix)
• dalteparin (Fragmin)
• dextran (Gentran, Hyskon)
• dipyridamole (Persantine, Aggrenox)
• eptifibatide (Integrelin)
• fondaparinux (Arixtra)
• heparin
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• lepirudin (Refludan)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and piroxicam (Feldene)
• prasugrel (Effient)
• salicylates like aspirin, Backache Relief Extra Strength, Novasal, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Doan’s Pills Extra Strength, Pepto-Bismol and Tricosal
• tenecteplase (TNKase)
• ticlopidine (Ticlid)
• tinzaparin (Innohep)
• tirofiban (Aggrastat)
• urokinase (Abbokinase)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Lovenox. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Lovenox

Lovenox is injected under the skin or into a vein through an IV. You may have these injections in a clinic setting or you may be shown how to use the injections at home. You should not self-inject Lovenox if you do not completely understand how to give an injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items you will use to inject the medicine.

When you receive or administer the Lovenox injection you should be in a sitting or lying down position.

You should never inject Lovenox into a muscle.

Your doctor will show you how to find a different place on your stomach each time you give yourself a Lovenox injection. You should not inject into the same place two times in a row.

You should use each disposable needle one time only. Be sure to dispose of used needles in a puncture-proof container and away from children and pets. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you find a puncture-proof container if you do not have one.

Plan to prepare your dose in a syringe when you are ready to give yourself an injection, and not before. Never mix Lovenox with other medications in the same IV. If you see that your dose of Lovenox has changed colors or has particles in it do not use it, and contact your doctor for a new prescription.

Lovenox is typically given every day until your bleeding condition improves. You should follow your doctor’s instructions exactly while taking Lovenox.

Your doctor may have you undergo tests of your blood and stools (bowel movements) to make sure that Lovenox is not causing you any harmful effects. You may also need to have muscle and nerve function tests. Be sure to visit your doctor regularly while you are taking Lovenox.

Let any doctor who treats you know that you are using Lovenox. If you need dental work or surgery the let your doctors and staff know in advance that you are being treated with Lovenox.

Lovenox vials (bottles) should be stored at room temperature, and away from moisture and heat. Once you have used a vial for the first time, you can keep the medicine at room temperature for up to 28 days. When 28 days have passed since you first used the vial you should dispose of it, even if there is still medication left in it.

Lovenox Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Lovenox and seek emergency medical help immediately;

• allergic reaction signs, like breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• black or bloody stools
• bleeding from wounds or needle injections that will not stop
• blood in your urine
• coughing up blood
• easy bruising or purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
• loss of movement in any part of your body
• numbness or muscle weakness
• pale skin and a light-headed feeling with shortness of breath, a rapid heart rate and trouble concentrating;
• sudden headache with dizziness and weakness with balance and vision problems
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding from your nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Less serious side effects of Lovenox may include:

• diarrhea
• fever
• mild pain, irritation or redness at the injection site
• nausea
• swelling in your hands and feet

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Lovenox. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Lovenox Description and Dosing

Lovenox is available in two concentrations, 100mg/ml and 150 mg/ml.

Lovenox is also available for injection in prefilled and graduated vials.

Lovenox is dosed based on individual conditions and situations. You should consult your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Lovenox you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Lovenox

The primary active ingredient in Lovenox is enoxaparin sodium. The Lovenox prefilled syringes and graduated prefilled syringes are preservative-free and are for use as a single-dose injection only. The multiple-dose vial contains 15 mg benzyl alcohol per 1 mL as a preservative.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.