What is Lovenox? How does it work? How do I administer it and why am I taking it? These are just a few of the questions asked when a patient is first started on Lovenox.
What is Lovenox? - Lovenox is a subcutaneous (skin tissue) injection given primarily in the abdominal area to prevent clots from developing in the blood. It also has to be pointed out that Heparin and Lovenox are not the same. As we all know Heparin has been in the news quite a bit lately from fatal and near fatal doses being mistakenly administered in the hospital setting. Lovenox (Enoxaparin Sodium Injection) is a very low molecular weight Heparin fragment, so low that Lovenox treatments cannot be monitored in the same way as Heparin. So PT or PTT lab draws are not indicated during Lovenox therapy as they are for a patient taking Heparin.
How does Lovenox work? - Lovenox is an Anti -Thrombotic drug. It prevents blood clots from developing and traveling to the lungs that could possibly cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries. When the body sustains an injury it causes blood proteins or clotting factors to work together. Lovenox slows down the formation of blood clots in your body by reducing the clotting factor in your blood.
How do I administer Lovenox? - Lovenox is administered into the abdomen (tummy) to induce quick absorption into your system. The injection is given via a tiny subcutaneous needle. Never give Lovenox intramuscular (in the muscle) or directly in the naval it could reduce absorption.
Before injecting Lovenox choose your site. A good suggestion would be to start counter clockwise and work your way around starting from the inner abdomen (Be sure to clean the injection site with alcohol before you start). Once your injections have circled completely around your tummy (starting from the inside) come outside the previous injection area about one inch and start again. The tummy is a large area so think of your injection sites as a spiral outward. Once you have covered the entire tummy area it's safe to start over from the inner tummy. (Always document your injection site).
Why am I taking Lovenox? - Lovenox is given primarily to prevent blood clots. Conditions that make people more susceptible to clots include bed bound patients who are immobile because of a medical condition. People undergoing orthopedic surgery of the hip and knee. Also included are hereditary thrombophilia, pregnancy, inflammation and advanced age.
Lovenox Tips
Lovenox may be stored at room temperature. (15 to 25 degrees Celsius)
Keep Lovenox away from heat.
Discard after thirty days.
Do not expel air bubble prior to injection unless a dosage adjustment is needed, in which case it would be necessary to dispel the air.
Never rub site after injection. Doing so could cause bruising.
Always document your injection sites.
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