Enoxaparin sodium is an anticoagulant medication (blood thinner).It is used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) including during pregnancy and following certain types of surgery.It is also used in those with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart attacks.It is given by injection just under the skin or into a vein.It is also used during hemodialysis.

Uses

Enoxaparin sodium is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent blood clots that are sometimes called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs. A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness. Lovenox is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attacks called non-Q-wave myocardial infarction or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Mechanism of action

Enoxaparin binds to antithrombin III, a serine protease inhibitor, forming a complex that irreversibly inactivates factor Xa, which is frequently used to monitor anticoagulation in the clinical setting.Following factor Xa inactivation, enoxaparin is released and binds to other anti-thrombin molecules. Factor IIa (thrombin) is directly inhibited by enoxaparin, however with less potency than unfractionated heparin (UFH). Due to the cascade of effects resulting from enoxaparin binding, thrombin is unable to convert fibrinogen to fibrin and form a clot, preventing thromboembolic events.

Warnings

Enoxaparin can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia (epidural), especially if you have a genetic spinal defect, a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if you are using other drugs that can affect blood clotting, including blood thinners or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, and others). This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.

Side effects

Common side effects include bleeding, fever, and swelling of the legs.Bleeding may be serious especially in those who are undergoing a spinal tap.Use during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby.Enoxaparin is in the low molecular weight heparin family of medications.