DVT blood clots may develop in people with certain medical and surgical conditions,
including:
- Certain types of cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Certain surgeries, particularly hip- or knee-replacement surgery, as well as abdominal
surgery
- Acute illness resulting in extended periods of immobility
If you are in the hospital or plan to be in the hospital, you need to proactively
discuss your risk of developing DVT blood clots with the healthcare professionals
who are managing your care. These include your doctors, surgeons, and nurses, who
will help you determine if you are at risk of developing DVT blood clots.
During your discussions with your medical team prior to your hospital stay, you
may want to use this list of Questions to Ask Your Doctor regarding DVT blood clots and
treatment with LOVENOX®. It includes questions
such as:
"How long can I expect to be in the hospital?"
"Are there any different medications I'll be receiving while I'm in
the hospital?"
"Is LOVENOX® right for me?"
By proactively discussing your risk with your healthcare professional, you are taking the first step toward reducing
your risk.
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LOVENOX® can help reduce the risk of developing DVT blood clots,
which may lead to PE, in patients undergoing abdominal surgery, hip- or knee-replacement
surgery, or in acutely ill medical patients with severely restricted mobility.
INDICATIONS
LOVENOX® is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep
vein thrombosis, which may lead to pulmonary embolism:
- in patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are at risk for thromboembolic complications;
- in patients undergoing hip-replacement surgery, during and following hospitalization;
- in patients undergoing knee-replacement surgery;
- in medical patients who are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to severely
restricted mobility during acute illness.
LOVENOX® injection is indicated for:
- the inpatient treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis, with or without pulmonary embolism, when administered in conjunction with warfarin sodium;
- the outpatient treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis, without pulmonary embolism, when administered in conjunction with warfarin sodium.
Important Safety Information
Certain procedures, called "epidural/spinal anesthesia" and "spinal puncture," may be used as a normal part of hospitalization. Patients requiring these procedures while being treated with LOVENOX® or other low-molecular-weight heparins are at risk of developing a blood clot in or around the spine. This condition may result in long-term or permanent paralysis.
LOVENOX® is not the same as "unfractionated heparin" or other drugs called "low-molecular-weight heparins." Therefore, these drugs cannot be used interchangeably with LOVENOX®.
LOVENOX® can alter the blood’s ability to clot. Patients treated
with LOVENOX®, who also have conditions affecting the clotting system,
must be carefully monitored by their physician. Adjusting the dose of LOVENOX®
may be necessary for patients who have certain forms of kidney disease. All patients
receiving LOVENOX®, as well as other anticoagulants, should be carefully
monitored for bleeding by their physician. Bleeding can occur at any site with LOVENOX®
use.
Platelet drops, known as "thrombocytopenia," can occur with LOVENOX®
use. Cases of a related condition called "heparin-induced thrombocytopenia" have
been observed in clinical practice. If you have had this condition, you must notify
your healthcare professional. Your physician may perform blood tests to monitor
for the occurrence of any drop in platelet count.
The use of LOVENOX® has not been adequately studied in pregnant women
with artificial (mechanical) heart valves.
LOVENOX® should not be used in patients with an allergy or sensitivity
reaction to the active ingredient called enoxaparin sodium, heparin, or pork products,
and in patients with active major bleeding.
Common side effects include mild local reactions or irritation at the site of injection,
pain, bruising, and redness of skin.
For specific questions about your health, you should always consult your physician
or a qualified healthcare professional who is responsible for your care.
Please see Full Prescribing Information including boxed WARNING for additional important information.