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Enoxaparin

Supportive Care

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What is enoxaparin?

Enoxaparin (also known as Lovenox® or low molecular weight heparin) is a blood thinner, also called an anticoagulant. It is used to treat patients who have a blood clot. It can also be used to prevent blood clots in patients who are at risk of developing a clot. 

It is available in prefilled syringes of 30-mg, 40-mg, 60-mg, 80-mg, 100-mg, 120-mg, and 150-mg strengths. For smaller doses, you will be taught how to withdraw the dose from a vial. It is a colorless-to-pale-yellow liquid that is injected under the skin.

This medicine is offered in many strengths. Always check to be sure you receive the same strength of medicine each time you pick up a new prescription. If you receive a different strength of enoxaparin and the staff has not talked to you about it, call your clinic or the pharmacy. 

Your doctor will decide on the correct dose based on levels and your health condition. 

Special instructions for enoxaparin
  • Monitoring enoxaparin: A small amount of blood will be used to determine what dose is best for you.
    • The staff must take the blood sample 4–6 hours after you receive the dose. If it has been less than 4 hours or more than 6 hours since you received the last dose, please tell the staff so the test can be rescheduled.
    • Blood tests for this drug must be done with a sample taken from a vein rather than from your central line. The nurse may call this a “fresh stick.” This is needed to ensure your health and safety while taking this drug.
  • If you need to have surgery or dental work, tell your surgeon or dentist you are taking this medicine. This medicine can cause increased bleeding. Before any surgery or procedure, talk to your medical team. They can tell you when you should stop the medicine and when to restart it after the procedure.
  • In the event of a serious injury, make sure your health care team is aware that you are on a blood thinner called enoxaparin.
  • Unless instructed by your doctor, do not take these medicines while you are taking enoxaparin:
    • warfarin
    • aspirin
    • ibuprofen (Advil®)
    • naproxen (Aleve®)
    • other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
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Possible side effects

  • Irritation, pain, bruising, swelling, or redness at the injection site
  • Bleeding or bruising more easily than usual even with routine activities, such as brushing and flossing your teeth
  • Skin rash or itching
  • Increased menstrual bleeding
  • Nausea or diarrhea

While you are taking enoxaparin, seek medical care right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Allergic reaction: wheezing, feeling short of breath, blue skin color, swelling of face/lips/tongue, bad cough, tight feeling, or pain in the chest
  • Excessive bruising or bleeding
  • Blood in urine
  • Blood in stool (can be black and tarry or bright red)
  • Coughing up blood
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Trouble breathing, feeling short of breath, or chest pain
  • Feeling dizzy or faint
  • Swelling or warmth in the arms or legs, pain when walking
  • Vision problems

These are the most common side effects, but there may be others. Please report all side effects to the doctor or nurse. 

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, swelling of the face or neck.

Not all patients who take enoxaparin will experience these side effects. Common side effects are bolded, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.

Find more information on side effects.

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Tips for patients and families

Be sure to discuss all questions and instructions with your doctor or pharmacist. 

  • Prefilled syringes: Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
  • Vials: Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator until opened. After opening, it is best to store in the refrigerator.
    • Opened vials must be thrown away after 28 days.
    • Unopened vials can be kept until the expiration date printed on the label.
  • Do not freeze this medicine.

    How to give enoxaparin
    It is important for you to understand how to correctly give this medicine. Giving the wrong dose could have serious side effects. The following resources can help you understand how to give enoxaparin: 
  • Do you know… How to give subcutaneous injections
  • Do you know...  Withdrawing enoxaparin from a vial
  • Do you know… Throwing away sharp objects safely

    Storing enoxaparin
  • Prefilled syringes: Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
  • Vials: Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator until opened. After opening, it is best to store in the refrigerator.
    • Opened vials must be thrown away after 28 days.
    • Unopened vials can be kept until the expiration date printed on the label.
  • Do not freeze this medicine.
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Always check the medication label. Many medicines look the same. Do not take any new medicine, including over-the counter medicines or supplements, without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do in the case of a missed dose, allergic reaction, or medical emergency. 

This information is not intended to be a complete guide and is not a substitute for talking with your provider. Medicine names, appearance, formulas, or availability may vary by clinic location. Always follow the instructions given by your care team.

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