Note: This document contains side effect information about enoxaparin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Lovenox.
Summary
Common side effects of Lovenox include: anemia and hemorrhage. Other side effects include: fever. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to enoxaparin: solution.
Warning
Injection route (Solution)
Epidural or spinal hematomas, which may result in long-term or permanent paralysis, may occur in patients who are anticoagulated with low molecular weight heparins or heparinoids and are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. Factors that can increase the risk of developing these hematomas include: use of indwelling epidural catheters, concomitant use of drugs affecting hemostasis such as NSAIDs, platelet inhibitors, or other anticoagulants, or history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture, spinal deformity, or spinal surgery. Optimal timing between the administration of enoxaparin sodium and neuraxial procedures is not known. Monitor patients frequently for neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary. Consider risks/benefits before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated for thromboprophylaxis.
Serious side effects of Lovenox
Along with its needed effects, enoxaparin (the active ingredient contained in Lovenox) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking enoxaparin:
More common
- Bleeding gums
- coughing up blood
- difficulty with breathing or swallowing
- dizziness
- headache
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- nosebleeds
- paralysis
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- red or black, tarry stools
- red or dark brown urine
- trouble breathing
Less common
- Bruising
- chest discomfort or tightness
- collection of blood under the skin
- confusion
- continuing bleeding or oozing from the nose or mouth, or surgical wound
- fever
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- lower back pain
- pain or burning while urinating
- seizures
- swelling of the hands or feet
- uncontrolled bleeding at the site of injection
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Rare
- Back pain
- burning, pricking, tickling, or tingling sensation
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- decreased urine output
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- irregular breathing
- leg weakness
- problems with bowel or bladder function
- skin rash or hives
- sneezing
- sore throat
- sudden fainting
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, genitals, mouth, or tongue
- thickening of the bronchial secretions
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weight gain
Incidence not known
- Deep, dark purple bruise
- hives or welts, skin rash
- irregular heartbeat
- itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
- nausea or vomiting
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the skin
- stomach pain
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
Other side effects of Lovenox
Some side effects of enoxaparin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Diarrhea
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to enoxaparin: injectable solution.
General
The most common adverse reactions were bleeding, anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevation of serum aminotransferase, diarrhea, and nausea.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Major hemorrhage
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrial fibrillation, heart failure
Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage
Postmarketing reports: Shock, valve thrombosis in patients with prosthetic heart valves[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia, anemia, platelet counts between 100,000 and 50,000/mm3
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Platelet counts less than 50,000/mm3
Frequency not reported: Thrombocytosis
Postmarketing reports: Hemorrhagic anemia, platelet count increased, eosinophilia[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): ALT increased asymptomatically, AST increased asymptomatically
Frequency not reported: Hepatic enzymes increased
Postmarketing reports: Hepatocellular liver injury, cholestatic liver injury[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retroperitoneal hemorrhage[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Injection site hematoma, injection site pain, other injection site reaction
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Local irritation, injection site skin necrosis
Postmarketing reports: Injection site nodules[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria, pruritus, erythema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bullous dermatitis
Postmarketing reports: Cutaneous vasculitis, skin necrosis, alopecia[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, edema
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperkalemia
Postmarketing reports: Hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Immuno-allergic thrombocytopenia
Postmarketing reports: Immuno-allergic thrombocytopenia with thrombosis[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lung edema, pneumonia[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fever[Ref]
Nervous system
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Intracranial hemorrhage
Postmarketing reports: Headache, spinal hematoma[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Postmarketing reports: Osteoporosis following treatment longer than 3 months[Ref]
