Enoxaparin Subcutaneous, Injection

A nurse or other trained health professional will usually give you enoxaparin in the hospital. enoxaparin is given as a shot under your skin.

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.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.

If the medicine in the prefilled syringe has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.

Dosing

The dose of enoxaparin 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 enoxaparin. 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 blood clots after unstable angina (chest pain) or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack):
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin every twelve hours for 2 to 8 days. Aspirin 100 to 325 mg orally once a day may also be given. However, 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 7 to 10 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 7 to 10 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 6 to 11 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 dose is usually 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours injected under the skin for 7 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 type of acute heart attack
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 30 milligrams (mg) injected into your vein and 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin followed by 1 mg per kg every 12 hours injected under the skin for 8 days. Aspirin 75 to 325 mg orally once a day may also be given.
    • Older adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the starting dose is 0.75 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin every 12 hours for 8 days. Aspirin 75 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 enoxaparin, 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.