What is Lovenox used for?

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) treatment
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) prevention for patients undergoing abdominal surgery, knee or hip replacement surgery, or those with restricted mobility during acute illness 
• Treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack)
• Studies have shown that when used in combination with aspirin, Lovenox reduced the rate of recurrent myocardial infarction (heart attack) and death.
• Lovenox can also prevent blood vessel complications from unstable angina (chest pain) and Non-Q-Wave myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack).

How does Lovenox work?

Lovenox (enoxaparin) belongs to an anticoagulant class called low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Lovenox works by blocking a specific protein needed to form blood clots. Thus, blood clots are less likely to develop in your blood vessels, legs, lungs, and heart. 

What is the suggested dosing for Lovenox?

Dosage adjustment is required by patients:

• With severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) - for prophylactic (prevention) and treatment dosing
• Low-weight patients: men weighing less than 57 kg and women weighing less than 45 kg - for prophylactic (prevention) dosing 
• Obese patients: (BMI > 30 kg/m2), more frequent blood work and monitoring are recommended to ensure the safety and efficacy of Lovenox therapy. 

Typical dosing for adults: 

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) after abdominal surgery or hospitalized patients with acute illness:

• Inject 40 mg under the skin once daily 
• The typical duration is 7 to 10 days after abdominal surgery.
• The typical duration is 6 to 11 days for hospitalized patients with acute illness.

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) after hip or knee replacement surgery:

• Inject 30 mg under the skin every 12 hours 
• The usual duration is 7 to 10 days after abdominal surgery

Treatment of deep vein thrombosis:

• Inject 1 mg/kg under the skin every 12 hours

OR

• Inject 1.5 mg/kg under the skin once daily at the same time for hospitalized patients with acute deep vein thrombosis, with or without pulmonary embolism, who are not candidates for outpatient treatment.
• Warfarin sodium is typically initiated within 72 hours of Lovenox in outpatient and hospital settings.
• Continue Lovenox for a minimum of 5 days and until a therapeutic oral anticoagulant effect is achieved (INR between 2 to 3)

Treatment of unstable angina and Non-Q-Wave myocardial infarction:

• Inject 1 mg/kg under the skin every 12 hours in conjunction with oral aspirin therapy (100 to 325 mg once daily)
• The usual duration is a minimum of 2 to 8 days