Enoxaparin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 7, 2023.

Applies to enoxaparin: solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed more easily. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Enoxaparin may cause bleeding problems. This risk is higher if you have a catheter in your back for pain medicine or anesthesia (sometimes called an "epidural"), or if you have kidney problems. The risk of bleeding increases if your kidney problems get worse. Check with your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stools, tingling, numbness, or weakness of the lower legs, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.

Lovenox® multiple-dose vials contain benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant or have had an allergic reaction to benzyl alcohol.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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:

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to enoxaparin: injectable solution.

General adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

Enoxaparin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer