Lovenox is a blood thinner or anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. It is used to prevent what is known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. DVT can cause pulmonary embolism or blood clots in lungs, which is a serious ailment. Though DVT can occur to anyone at anytime, it is more common in people after they have had surgeries or after they have been bed-ridden for prolonged periods. Generic Lovenox can be indicated for many other uses that are not mentioned here and your doctor should be able to tell you about them.

Lovenox is either taken under the skin or is taken into a vein through intravenous injections. You can only self inject Lovenox if you have fully understood parameters like how to give the injection, how to dispose the needles, tubing and other items, etc. The following points describe in detail the dos and don'ts of injecting Lovenox.

• The patient must be sitting or lying down before taking the injection.


• Lovenox must not be injected directly into muscles.


• Lovenox should be injected at different places each time, usually under the skin on the stomach. Lovenox must not be injected at the same place twice.


• Your health care professional will advise about things like the best places to give the injection and how to give the injections.


• The syringe should be filled with a Lovenox dose, right before the injection. It should not be prepared and then made to wait.


• Lovenox should not be mixed with other intravenous medications. Lovenox should not be given if the medicine has changed color or has started leaving residual particles.


• Lovenox should be given everyday till the bleeding condition of the patient improves.


• Regular blood, stool and muscle function tests are required when a patient is on a Lovenox treatment.

Lovenox shold be stopped immediately if serious side effects are noticed in the patient. Such serious side effects require emergency medical care and so the patient should be rushed to a hospital immediately. The following are some serious side effects of Lovenox:

• Allergic reactions such as hives, facial swelling, itching, burning, breathing difficulties, etc.


• Unusually high bleeding from wounds; bleeding that just does not stop.


• Shortness of breath


• Rapid heart rate


• Black or bloody stools and bloody vomits


• Sudden loss of movement in body parts

Any serious side effects should be reported immediately and medical intervention should be sought for the patient. Certain less serious side effects of Lovenox are:

• Nausea


• Diarrhea


• High fever


• Swelling in the limbs


• Mild pain, redness and swelling at the place of injection.

Some prescription as well as non-prescription drugs interfere with Lovenox, especially the ones that increase bleeding. The drugs to be avoided while on a Lovenox course are:

• Dextran


• Coumadin


• Abciximab


• Urokinase


• NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen


• Salicylates such as Aspirin, Pepto-Bismol, etc.

While this list is not complete, you can get a complete list from your pharmacist or doctor. Telling your doctor of all such drugs that you happen to be taking will help you identify possible interaction problems.

Lovenox overdoses are typically serious in nature. You should call the local poison control center immediately and ask for assistance. Emergency medical intervention is required for the overdose patient.

There are several notes that you should take note of before starting a Lovenox treatment. The following are some such notes.

• Lovenox must not be used if the patient is allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, benzyl alcohol and pork products.


• Lovenox should not be given to patients that are actively bleeding or have a low platelet count.


• Lovenox should be avoided for patients that already have excessive bleeding problems or bleeding disorders; or have had a hemorrhagic stroke, a heart lining infection, intestinal or stomach bleeding, stomach ulcers, etc.


• If you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia, the use of Lovenox can produce a very serious blood clot around the brain which may cause partial or complete paralysis.


• The patient must be asked to report on any unusual symptoms or side effects that he may notice after taking a dose of Lovenox, immediately to his caregivers.

With Lovenox missed doses, only your doctor, who knows the state of your treatment, can advise you on what to do about them. Do not double your next dose in order to compensate for the skipped one, at least not without asking your doctor about it first.

In technical terms, one can say that Lovenox is indicated for the prophylaxis of DVT, which may in turn lead to pulmonary embolism or blood clots in the lungs. Lovenox can prevent deep vein thrombosis in:

• Patients that may be at risk of thromboembolic complications arising out of abdominal surgeries.


• Patients that have endured long periods of hospitalization due to surgeries such as hip-replacement surgery and knee-replacement surgery.


• Patients that have been bed-ridden due to acute illnesses that restrict mobility.

Prescription Lovenox is available in physical pharmacies as well as on online stores. One should not buy Lovenox without a valid prescription.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Lovenox vials should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat and light. After opening the Lovenox bottle for the first time, you should only keep it in use for about 28 days. You should dispose of the bottle as well as any remaining medication after the 28 day period.

It is imperative that you tell your doctor of the following if he is considering a Lovenox dose for you. Tell your doctor if:

• You are allergic to any Lovenox ingredients


• You suffer from blood disorders, uncontrolled bleeding problems or platelet deficiencies.


• If you have hemorrhagic stroke, bacterial endocarditis, intestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers or recent brain, spine or eye surgeries.


• If you have an epidural, a genetic spinal defect, spinal injuries or spinal taps.


• If you are using other blood clot preventive medications.


• If you have kidney or liver diseases.


• If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.


• If you are pregnant, are planning to conceive or are breastfeeding a newborn.

It is quite easy to purchase Enoxaparin if you have a valid and current doctor's prescription. While some online portals may supply you with a non-prescription version of Lovenox, it is not one hundred percent legal. As it is, because Lovenox is such a potent medication, it is always better to buy Lovenox after you have consulted a doctor and have his prescription for it. If you buy Lovenox online, most reputed online suppliers will ask you to fax or email them a copy of your prescription.