Enoxaparin is a blood-thinning medicine that reduces the formation of harmful blood clots in your body.
This medicine is used to treat deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg veins) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in a lung artery). It is also used to prevent blood clots from forming in individuals with unstable angina (chest pain that occurs randomly or unexpectedly) or who have had a heart attack.
Enoxaparin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Enoxaparin is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the abdomen area).
Your doctor or nurse may administer the injection for you. If you or your caregiver had been given the proper training on the preparation and injection techniques of this medicine, you or your caregiver may do the administration.
Remember to rotate the injection sites. Do not inject into the same area all the time. New injection sites should be at least 1.5 inches away from the previous injection site. Do not inject near the navel (belly button).
This medicine is available as a pre-filled syringe or multidose vial. Make sure you know how to use the specific drug preparation you have been given. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your disease.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Enoxaparin.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
If you or a caregiver had been trained to administer this medicine and missed a dose, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you forgot to administer your dose.
Do not use Enoxaparin if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar blood-thinning medicines such as heparin, nadroparin, tinzaparin, or dalteparin.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (a reaction to heparin or other similar medicines that caused a severe drop in platelet levels) within the last 100 days
- actively bleeding
- recent stroke due to bleeding into the brain or blood vessel damage
- stomach or bowel ulcer
- recent surgery in the brain, spinal, or eyes
as Enoxaparin may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia that has been more than 100 days
- cancer
- bleeding disorder
- history of stomach ulcer or other stomach problems
- diabetes or diabetic retinopathy (problems with the blood vessels in the eyes due to diabetes)
- recent stroke
- infection of the inner lining of the heart
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- have an artificial heart valve
- underweight or overweight
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Enoxaparin to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have a certain laboratory test (e.g. thyroid function) or an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood count, stool examination) may be done before and during treatment with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your doctor may also monitor your weight before and during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of bleeding or blood clots may also be needed.
Enoxaparin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, itching, fever, and pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- unusual bleeding or bruising, coughing up blood, passing out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- painful rash of dark red spots under the skin which do not go away when putting pressure
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, aspirin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. ketorolac
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Enoxaparin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Do not freeze this medicine otherwise, it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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