Enoxaparin (Injection)

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• If you were given a bottle of medicine to use with your syringes, you must use the medicine within 28 days after the first shot. Throw away the unused medicine in the bottle after 28 days.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using blood thinners (such as clopidogrel, warfarin, or Coumadin®). Tell your doctor if you are also using dipyridamole (Persantine®), ketorolac (Toradol®), or sulfinpyrazone (Anturane®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, Advil®, Aleve®, Motrin®, Orudis®, Dolobid®, Feldene®, Indocin®, Relafen®, or Voltaren®). Avoid taking aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin, unless your doctor tells you to.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blood in your urine.
• Bloody or black, tarry stools.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• Fever.
• Large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Uneven heartbeat.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Confusion.
• Nausea or diarrhea.
• Pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Introduction

Enoxaparin (ee-nox-a-PAR-in)

Prevents and treats blood clots. Also used to treat certain types of acute heart attacks. This medicine is a blood thinner.

Brand Name(s)

Lovenox, Novaplus Lovenox, Enoxaparin Sodium

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, blood vessel problems, diabetes, a heart infection, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a stomach ulcer or bleeding, or a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia. Tell your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder caused by heparin.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have recently had a stroke, or surgery on your eyes, brain, or spine. Tell your doctor if you have had a heart valve replaced.
• This medicine may cause bleeding or bruising. This risk is higher if you have a catheter in your back for pain medicine or anesthesia (sometimes called an "epidural"), or if you have kidney problems. The risk of bleeding increases if your kidney problems get worse. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.
• You may bleed and bruise more easily while you are using this medicine. Be extra careful to avoid injuries until the effects of the medicine have worn off. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers. Avoid picking your nose. If you need to blow your nose, blow it gently.
• Watch for any bleeding from open areas such as around the injection site. Also check for blood in your urine or stool. If you have any bleeding or injuries, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088