Lovenox

Updated on July 01, 2008
C.M. asks from Kansas City, MO
13 answers

My doctor recently put me on Lovenox due to a blood clotting disorder. I just wanted some feed back from other moms who have used this so that I know a little bit more about what to expect. Any tips to make it easier would also be welcome. Thanks in advance.

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S.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I took it for a short while and bruised every time I bumped into something so be careful. It is a blood thinner.I did not notice anything else happening so I guess that is a good thing. Good luck.

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K.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi C.,

It sounds like you've gotten lots of good advice here. If you're interested, there's an online support group for those of us with clotting disorders and dealing with pregnancy issues. It can be found at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FVL-PG/
Feel free to check it out and ask questions, or just lurk if you want.
Good luck to you!

-K.

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W.H.

answers from Springfield on

Hi C.,
I too have a blood clotting disorder and have had to take Lovenox previously and had to take Heprin (another blood thinner) while I was pregnant with my daughter. Are you currently pregnant? If so, and you're having to take shots in your stomach as I had to, my advice to you is to learn how to give yourself the shots, because I made my husband do it for the first couple months, (I was too scared to do it myself). However, one night he was gone and I had to do it and learned it hurt A LOT less for me to do it myself, because I could tell which places had more nerves, etc. Also, you will get bruises and lumpy areas around the areas you take the shots, but you'll get used to them after awhile. It was very hard for me at first, but it does get easier, the longer you do it. Good Luck and let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to share anything I learned from my experience with you. One more thing, I just remembered...my Dr told me that we had to schedule an induction if I wanted to be able to have an epidural due to being on blood thinner. So, something to keep in mind if yours hasn't mentioned that to you. Mine said that I needed to be off the blood thinner for a certain number of days before I was induced to ensure there wasn't too much blood loss during the birth. Then I had to go back on it for 3 mo. after I gave birth.

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K.D.

answers from Kansas City on

You must be factor five lieden/leiden, (don't recall how it's spelled)...is that right? I found out six years ago I was, turns out my mother and sister are too - it's genetic, we got it from my mother's mom. I can't take any estrogen. I originally was on an estrogen birth control and smoking when I got three superficial clots in one leg. I was a medical mystery and then they pin pointed what it was. They are really starting to diagnose more people and they are realizing what it is now. When I was pregnant with my son I had to take Lovenox shots every 12 hours to make sure we had no issues with the placenta. Kept us ok! This is probably why my mother had a miscarriage. My doc originally had me on an aspirin a day regimen, I am wondering if you had a clot and that is why they have you on the Lovenox? Squeeze and pinch real hard where you are giving that shot and you won't have any bruising at all, just pinch on the side of your waist (trying to do this when you were pregnant was interesting..) hope this helps.. you're okay! IT's good to know that you have this, that way you can take any necessary precautions. take care! God Bless!

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J.W.

answers from Kansas City on

I give mine shots in the upper thighs - lots of bruising and swelling - but nothing you can't live with! We tried it starting before getting pregnant - and this time I actually got and stayed pregnant! The doctor also recommended taking Calcium supplements (pills like vitamins - "Calcitrate" as I recall). Stopped sometime before the due date and did not have to take after birth...
Good luck!

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D.A.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi C.!

I have Factor V Leiden (a blood clotting disorder). Not sure which one you have. There are a variety out there. Anyway, I was on Fragmin during my first pg, and Lovenox during the second. I was induced with my first at 39 weeks, and ended up having a c-section. (stubborn baby...still is!) The second one was a scheduled c-section. Both pg went incredibly well. Feel free to email me if you ever have questions or concerns! ____@____.com

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T.R.

answers from Joplin on

those shots HURT. every time. and they leave big bruises at the site. look for lumps at the site of injection or excessive pain. always be on the lookout for shortness of breath or headache or vision problems and call your doctor IMMEDIATELY if that happens as it could be a clot forming or travelling. good luck! oh, and make them handcount your platelets in the weeks before birth so you can know if you can have an epidural/spinal or not.

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

As a nurse I have given a lot of lovenox injections. A trick of the trade is to numb the spot your going to give it with a little ice. After the shot don't rub the area. This can actually make the bruising worse. There is a little bubble in the syringe. Be sure not to exspell that air bubble. It helps create a space in the fatty tissue so it doesn't "leak" out. I hope that helps.

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S.E.

answers from St. Louis on

GENERIC NAME: enoxaparin
BRAND NAME: Lovenox

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin. Like heparin, enoxaparin prevents blood clots from forming. It works by blocking the action of two of the 12 proteins in blood (factors X and II) whose action is necessary in order for blood to clot. The FDA approved enoxaparin in 1993.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS: Enoxaparin is available in pre-filled syringes containing 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 150 mg.

STORAGE: All enoxaparin products should be stored at room temperature, between 15 and 30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Enoxaparin is used to treat or prevent blood clots and their complications (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). Deep-vein thrombosis is the formation of blood clots in veins deep in a muscle, most often in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis may lead to pulmonary embolism, a condition in which a piece of the clot (the embolus) breaks loose and travels through the veins to the lung. In the lung the clot blocks an artery and prevents the part of the lung that is supplied by the artery from working normally. If the artery that is blocked is a large artery, the embolus can cause sudden death. Thrombosis and embolism are responsible for 300,000 to 600,000 hospitalizations each year, and pulmonary embolism causes as many as 200,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Patients undergoing hip replacement and other major surgery are at increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

DOSING: For the prevention of blood clots, the usual dose of enoxaparin is 30 mg twice daily or 40 mg once daily by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. For the treatment of an existing blood clot, the usual dose is based on the weight of the patient-1 mg per kg (about 0.5 mg per pound) twice daily or 1.5 mg per kg (about 0.8 mg per pound) once daily. The dose is dependent on the specific reason for which enoxaparin is being used. For example, in the hospital, enoxaparin is routinely used at a dose of 30 mg twice daily for seven to 10 days after hip-replacement surgery or knee-replacement surgery. It may be continued at home for up to three weeks following hip-replacement surgery with once-a-day (40 mg) dosing. The dose of enoxaparin is reduced for patients with severe impairment of kidney function.

Enoxaparin is given only by subcutaneous injection. It must not be administered by intramuscular injection. Patients may inject themselves if their physician determines that it is appropriate and with medical follow-up, as necessary. Proper training in subcutaneous injection technique should be provided.

To self-administer enoxaparin, patients should be lying down. Administration should be alternated between the left and right front abdominal wall, towards the sides. The whole length of the needle should be inserted into a fold of skin held between the thumb and forefinger; the skin fold should be held throughout the injection. To minimize bruising, the site of the injection should not be rubbed after completion of the injection. The syringe should be discarded immediately in a special container for sharp objects after the injection.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Medications that increase the risk of bleeding will add to the effects of enoxaparin and further increase the risk of bleeding that is associated with enoxaparin. Such medications include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin; Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), and others.

PREGNANCY: Enoxaparin does not cross the placenta and shows no evidence of effects on the fetus. It often is used during pregnancy as an alternative to oral anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin), which cannot be safely used during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if enoxaparin is excreted in breast milk. Since most medicines are excreted in breast milk, it is recommended that women receiving enoxaparin should not breast feed.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effect associated with enoxaparin is bleeding. Less commonly, enoxaparin can induce an increase in liver tests in the blood, suggesting mild damage to the liver, and a reduction in blood platelets. Mild local irritation, pain, hematoma, ecchymosis, and erythema may occur at the site of injection.

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M.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I know this advice is kind of late, and you've gotten lots of good advice already. I had the wonderful opportunity to take this as well with my pregnancy. I did not have to the first time and had no complications, but had a miscarriage before my third (and successful pregnancy.) In the meantime my sister had several miscarriages and was a bit of a mystery until they figured out she had Leiden factor V. After my miscarriage they tested me right away so fortunately I didn't have to go through all she did. Well it turns out I have it too! The secret to doing the shots is to really pinch your side. Insert it into your fatty tissue. It will bruise sometimes, and sometimes it will hurt or even sting a bit, but it really isn't too bad--keep telling yourself that it is worth it. I did happen to notice a side effect in the beginning each time i have had to take it. It seems that for the first few days about a half hour after I do the shot I would have a couple of minutes of lightheadedness. Nothing major, but I did notice it. I think it is just because the medicine was taking affect and thinning my blood, like it should, just giving me what seemed like a rush of oxygen. This only lasted for a couple of minutes and after I took it a few days it went away all together so it really wasn't that bothersome. You will probably have many more doctor visits, non-stress tests and ultrasounds because of this as well, I know I did! Good luck to you! M.

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A.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I was on it while I was pregnant. I did injections twice a day. Nothing can really make it easier, except to continually switch your injection site.

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L.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi C., I'm actually very firmilier with Lovonox. I was actually on blood thinners myself for about three years after developing a DVT (blood clot) in my leg. Also I work for a Trauma Dept at St. John's and I help manage coumadin and lovonox levels. What kind of clotting issue do you have? You can send me a private email if you would like to. Also did they give you a form on what types of food you can/can't eat that will change your lab work? How often do you get labs drawn? I'd be happy to help in anyway that I can. Let me know! THanks!! L.

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K.D.

answers from St. Louis on

Are you doing shots in your stomach? I had to do that with my second and it worked out fine. The shots aren't as bad as they sound although towards the end when your skin is tighter it can be a little painful but it's all worth it. :)

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