Enoxaparin (Subcutaneous Route, Injection Route)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

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Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will usually give you this medicine in the hospital. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.

If you are using enoxaparin at home, your doctor will teach you how to inject yourself with the medicine. Be sure to follow the directions carefully. Check with your doctor if you have any problems using the medicine.

Put used syringes in a puncture-resistant, disposable container, or dispose of them as directed by your doctor.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For prevention of certain types of chest pain and heart attack:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the recommended dose is 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin every twelve hours for two to eight days. The dose is 1 mg per kg once a day if you have a poorly performing kidney.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (abdominal surgery):
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a day for seven to ten days. The first dose should be given 2 hours before the surgery. However, the dose is 30 mg once a day if you have a poorly performing kidney.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (hip or knee replacement surgery):
      • Adults—30 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every twelve hours for seven to ten days. Alternatively, for hip replacement surgery, the dose may be 40 mg injected under the skin once a day for three weeks. The dose is 30 mg once a day if you have a poorly performing kidney.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (in patients with a serious illness who cannot get out of bed):
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a day for six to eleven days. The dose is 30 mg once a day if you have a poorly performing kidney.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the recommended dose is 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours injected under the skin for about seven days. The dose is 1 mg per kg once a day if you have a poorly performing kidney.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of certain types of chest pain and heart attack:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the recommended dose is 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours injected under the skin for two to eight days. Aspirin 100 to 325 mg orally once a day may also be given.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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.

Precautions Before Using

DR600617

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2009 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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