Generic Name: enoxaparin
Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that helps prevent the formation of blood clots.
Enoxaparin is used to treat or prevent a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness.
Enoxaparin is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attack.
Important information
You should not use this medicine if you have active bleeding, or a low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using enoxaparin.
Enoxaparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you are using other drugs that can affect blood clotting, including blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, and others). This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.
Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of a spinal cord blood clot such as back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, benzyl alcohol, or pork products, or if you have:
active or uncontrolled bleeding; or
a low level of platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using enoxaparin.
Enoxaparin may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have:
a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;
hemorrhagic stroke;
an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);
stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer; or
recent brain, spine, or eye surgery.
Enoxaparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural). This type of blood clot could cause long-term or permanent paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:
you have a spinal cord injury;
you have a spinal catheter in place or if a catheter has been recently removed;
you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps;
you have recently had a spinal tap or epidural anesthesia;
you are taking an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)--ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
you are using a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin) or other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.
To make sure enoxaparin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney or liver disease;
uncontrolled high blood pressure;
eye problems caused by diabetes;
recent stomach ulcer; or
if you have ever had low blood platelets after receiving heparin.
FDA pregnancy category B. Enoxaparin is not expected to harm an unborn baby.
However, some forms of this medication contain a preservative that may be harmful to a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
If you use this medication during pregnancy, make sure your doctor knows if you have a mechanical heart valve.
It is not known whether enoxaparin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Enoxaparin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; itching or burning skin; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Also seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a spinal blood clot: back pain, numbness or muscle weakness in your lower body, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), bleeding from wounds or needle injections, any bleeding that will not stop;
easy bruising, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
black or bloody stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
sudden weakness, severe headache, confusion, or problems with speech, vision, or balance; or
trouble breathing.
Common side effects may include:
nausea, diarrhea;
fever;
swelling in your hands or feet; or
mild pain, irritation, redness, or swelling where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Source: drugs.com