Enoxaparin (Lovenox) Drug for Blood Clots: Use, Side Effects, Interactions

Enoxaparin
(Lovenox, United States and Canada)

Use:

Enoxaparin is used in the prevention of blood clots in such conditions as unstable angina, some types of heart attacks, and even after some types of surgery.

How It Works:

Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin which prevents blood coagulation.

Side Effects:

While one of the advantages of enoxaparin is that it does not require as intensive monitoring as heparin, it still requires monitoring to ensure that the side effect of bleeding does not occur.

Cautions for People:

Enoxaparin is usually given with acetylsalicylic acid, however care must be used with all drugs that can affect blood coagulation to ensure that bleeding does not occur.

Drug Interactions:

People who could not used heparin are usually not able to use enoxaparin. It may be easier for people to used because it can be used on an out patient basis - it does not require hospitalization.

Further Reading:

New England Journal of Medicine 1997;337:447

Added to Virtual Drugstore June 1998.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.