Enoxaparin Sodium

Enoxaparin Sodium

Enoxaparin sodium is an anticoagulant medication (blood thinner).[6] It is used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) including during pregnancy and following certain types of surgery.[6] It is also used in those with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and heart attacks.[6] It is given by injection just under the skin or into a vein.[6] It is also used during hemodialysis.[3][5]

Common side effects include bleeding, fever, and swelling of the legs.[6] Bleeding may be serious especially in those who are undergoing a spinal tap.[6] Use during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby.[6] Enoxaparin is in the low molecular weight heparin family of medications.[6]

Enoxaparin was first made in 1981 and approved for medical use in 1993.[7][6] It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.[8] Enoxaparin is sold under several brand names and is available as a generic medication.[6] Enoxaparin is made from heparin.[7] In 2017, it was the 299th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions.[9][10]