LOVENOX®-- Injections
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KNOW LOVENOX®

How to Self-Inject LOVENOX®

Most patients or caregivers can administer LOVENOX® injections without difficulty. Before you begin self-injection, learn more about the injection device. Then follow these step-by-step instructions.

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  • Step 1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly
  • Step 2. Sit or lie in a comfortable position, so that you can see your abdomen.
  • Step 3. Choose an area on the right or left side of your abdomen, at least 2 inches from your belly button. Think "love handles."
  • Step 4. Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. Let dry.
  • Step 5. Remove the needle cap by pulling it straight off the syringe and discard it in a sharps collector. If you did not receive a LOVENOX®Discharge Kit from the hospital, you can obtain a sharps collector from your pharmacy.
  • Step 6. Hold the syringe like a pencil in your writing hand.
  • Step 7. With your other hand, pinch an inch of the cleansed area to make a fold in the skin. Insert the full length of the needle straight down–at a 90° angle–into the fold of skin.
  • Step 8. Press the plunger with your thumb until the syringe is empty.
  • Step 9. Pull the needle straight out at the same angle that it was inserted, and release the skin fold.
  • Step 10. Point the needle down and away from yourself and others, and push down on the plunger to activate the safety shield.
  • Step 11. Place the used syringe in the sharps collector.

If you have any questions about LOVENOX®, please speak to your doctor or call the Patient Hotline at 1-800-633-1610.

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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.