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Enoxaparin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2023.

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 Enoxaparin

Along with its needed effects, enoxaparin 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 Enoxaparin

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

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]

References

1. Product Information. Lovenox (enoxaparin). Rhone Poulenc Rorer. 2002.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer