Enoxaparin

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# Black Box Warning

# Overview
Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant that is FDA approved for the treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis, acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and ischemic complications of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. There is a Black Box Warning for this drug as shown here.  Common adverse reactions include diarrhea, nausea, anemia, major bleeding, thrombocytopenia, increased liver function test, and fever.

# Adult Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

### Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Dosing information
- Recommended dose: 40 mg SC q24h (with the initial dose given 2 hours prior to surgery)
- Duration of administration: 7 to 10 days (maximum: 12 days)
- Dosing information
- Recommended dose: 30 mg SC q12h (with the initial dose given 12 to 24 hours after surgery)
- Duration of administration: 7 to 10 days (maximum: 14 days)
- Alternative dosage for hip replacement surgery
- Recommended dose: 40 mg SC q24h (with the initial dose given 123 hours prior to surgery)
- Duration of administration: 3 weeks
- Dosing information
- Recommended dose: 40 mg SC q24h
- Duration of administration: 6 to 11 days (maximum: 14 days)

### Treatment of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis (With or Without Pulmonary Embolism)
- Dosing information
- Recommended dose:
- For outpatient:  1 mg/kg SC q12h
- For inpatient: 1 mg/kg SC q12h or 1.5 mg/kg SC q24h
- Warfarin therapy should be initiated when appropriate (usually within 72 hours of enoxaparin injection).
- Duration of administration: 7 days (maximum: 17 days)
- Enoxaparin should be continued for a minimum of 5 days and until a therapeutic oral anticoagulant effect has been achieved (INR 2.03.0).

### Prophylaxis of Ischemic Complications of Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction
- Dosing information
- Recommended dose: 1 mg/kg SC q12h (in conjunction with aspirin 100325 mg PO qd)
- Duration of administration: 2 to 8 days (maximum: 12.5 days)

### Treatment of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
- Dosing information
- Recommended dose (<75 years of age): 30 mg IV bolus PLUS 1 mg/kg SC for one dose FOLLOWED BY 1 mg/kg SC q12h
- Recommended dose (75 years of age): 0.75 mg/kg SC q12h
- All STEMI patients should receive aspirin 75325 mg PO qd unless contraindicated.

## Renal Impairment
- Although no dose adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate (creatinine clearance 3050 mL/min) and mild (creatinine clearance 5080 mL/min) renal impairment, all such patients should be observed carefully for signs and symptoms of bleeding.
- The recommended prophylaxis and treatment dosage regimens for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) are described in Table 1.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

### Guideline-Supported Use
Patients with solid tumor and low bleeding risk
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Class II
- Strength of Evidence: Level B
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Vitamin K Antagonists
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Outpatient Cancer Patients
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level B
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Thoracic Surgery
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level B
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Spinal Surgery
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Major Trauma
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Management of HIT
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 1
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Management of Acute HIT or Subacute HIT
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Management in Patients with a Past History of HIT
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Cardioversion (48 h)
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 1
- Strength of Evidence: Level B
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Cardioversion (<48 h)
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Endocarditis
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### Mechanical Prosthetic Heart Valves
- Developed by: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
- Class of Recommendation: Grade 2
- Strength of Evidence: Level C
- Dosing Information
- Not applicable

### VTE Prevention in Intracranial hemorrhage

### NonGuideline-Supported Use

### Adjunction treatment of Cardiopulmonary bypass operation
- Dosing information

# Pediatric Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
- There is limited information about the FDA-labeled indications and dosage information for children.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

### Guideline-Supported Use

### Homozygous Protein C deficiency

### NonGuideline-Supported Use
- There is limited information about Off-Label NonGuideline-Supported Use of Enoxaparin in pediatric patients.

# Contraindications
- Active major bleeding
- Thrombocytopenia associated with a positive in vitro test for anti-platelet antibody in the presence of enoxaparin sodium
- Known hypersensitivity to enoxaparin sodium (e.g., pruritus, urticaria, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions).
- Known hypersensitivity to heparin or pork products
- Known hypersensitivity to benzyl alcohol (which is in only the multi-dose formulation of Lovenox)

# Warnings
- Cases of epidural or spinal hemorrhage and subsequent hematomas have been reported with the use of Lovenox and epidural or spinal anesthesia/analgesia or spinal puncture procedures, resulting in long-term or permanent paralysis. The risk of these events is higher with the use of post-operative indwelling epidural catheters, with the concomitant use of additional drugs affecting hemostasis such as NSAIDs, with traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal puncture, or in patients with a history of spinal surgery or spinal deformity.

# Adverse Reactions

## Clinical Trials Experience
- The following serious adverse reactions are also discussed in other sections of the labeling:
- Spinal/epidural hematoma
- Thrombocytopenia
- Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
- During clinical development for the approved indications, 15,918 patients were exposed to enoxaparin sodium. These included 1,228 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosisfollowing abdominal surgery in patients at risk for thromboembolic complications, 1,368 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosisfollowing hip or knee replacement surgery, 711 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosisin medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness, 1,578 for prophylaxis of ischemic complications in unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, 10,176 for treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and 857 for treatment of deep vein thrombosiswith or without pulmonary embolism. Enoxaparin sodium doses in the clinical trials for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosisfollowing abdominal or hip or knee replacement surgery or in medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness ranged from 40 mg SC once daily to 30 mg SC twice daily. In the clinical studies for prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction doses were 1 mg/kg every 12 hours and in the clinical studies for treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction enoxaparin sodium doses were a 30 mg IV bolus followed by 1 mg/kg every 12 hours SC.

### Hemorrhage
- The incidence of major hemorrhagic complications during Lovenox treatment has been low.
- The following rates of major bleeding events have been reported during clinical trials with Lovenox .
- NOTE: At no time point were the 40 mg once a day pre-operative and the 30 mg every 12 hours post-operative hip replacement surgery prophylactic regimens compared in clinical trials.
- Injection site hematomas during the extended prophylaxis period after hip replacement surgery occurred in 9% of the Lovenox patients versus 1.8% of the placebo patients.

### Elevations of Serum Aminotransferases
- Asymptomatic increases in aspartate (AST ) and alanine (ALT ) aminotransferase levels greater than three times the upper limit of normal of the laboratory reference range have been reported in up to 6.1% and 5.9% of patients, respectively, during treatment with Lovenox. Similar significant increases in aminotransferase levels have also been observed in patients and healthy volunteers treated with heparin and other low molecular weight heparins. Such elevations are fully reversible and are rarely associated with increases in bilirubin.
- Since aminotransferase determinations are important in the differential diagnosis of myocardial infarction, liver disease, and pulmonary emboli, elevations that might be caused by drugs like Lovenox should be interpreted with caution.

### Local Reactions
- Mild local irritation, pain, hematoma, ecchymosis, and erythema may follow SC injection of Lovenox.
- Other adverse reactions that were thought to be possibly or probably related to treatment with Lovenox, heparin, or placebo in clinical trials with patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, abdominal or colorectal surgery, or treatment for DVT and that occurred at a rate of at least 2% in the Lovenox group, are provided below .
- Non-hemorrhagic clinical events reported to be related to Lovenox therapy occurred at an incidence of 1%.
- Non-major hemorrhagic events, primarily injection site ecchymoses and hematomas, were more frequently reported in patients treated with SC Lovenox than in patients treated with IV heparin.
- Serious adverse events with Lovenox or heparin in a clinical trial in patients with unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction that occurred at a rate of at least 0.5% in the Lovenox group are provided below .
- In a clinical trial in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, the only adverse reaction that occurred at a rate of at least 0.5% in the Lovenox group was thrombocytopenia (1.5%).

## Postmarketing Experience
- The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Lovenox. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
- There have been reports of epidural or spinal hematoma formation with concurrent use of Lovenox and spinal/epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture. The majority of patients had a post-operative indwelling epidural catheter placed for analgesia or received additional drugs affecting hemostasis such as NSAIDs. Many of the epidural or spinal hematomas caused neurologic injury, including long-term or permanent paralysis.
- Local reactions at the injection site (e.g. nodules, inflammation, oozing), systemic allergic reactions (e.g. pruritus, urticaria, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions including shock), vesiculobullous rash, rare cases of hypersensitivity cutaneous vasculitis, purpura, skin necrosis (occurring at either the injection site or distant from the injection site), thrombocytosis, and thrombocytopenia with thrombosis  have been reported.
- Cases of hyperkalemia have been reported. Most of these reports occurred in patients who also had conditions that tend toward the development of hyperkalemia (e.g., renal dysfunction, concomitant potassium-sparing drugs, administration of potassium, hematoma in body tissues). Very rare cases of hyperlipidemia have also been reported, with one case of hyperlipidemia, with marked hypertriglyceridemia, reported in a diabetic pregnant woman; causality has not been determined.
- Cases of headache, hemorrhagic anemia, eosinophilia, alopecia, hepatocellular and cholestatic liver injury have been reported.
- Osteoporosis has also been reported following long-term therapy.

# Drug Interactions
- Whenever possible, agents which may enhance the risk of hemorrhage should be discontinued prior to initiation of Lovenox therapy. These agents include medications such as: anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors including acetylsalicylic acid, salicylates, NSAIDs (including ketorolac tromethamine), dipyridamole, or sulfinpyrazone. If co-administration is essential, conduct close clinical and laboratory monitoring

# Use in Specific Populations

### Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA):
- All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcome regardless of drug exposure. The fetal risk summary below describes the potential of Lovenox to increase the risk of developmental abnormalities above the background risk.
Pregnancy Category (AUS): 
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Enoxaparin in women who are pregnant.

### Labor and Delivery
- Lovenox does not cross the placenta, and is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug. Human data from a retrospective cohort study, which included 693 live births, suggest that Lovenox does not increase the risk of major developmental abnormalities. Based on animal data, enoxaparin is not predicted to increase the risk of major developmental abnormalities

### Nursing Mothers
- It is not known whether Lovenox is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Lovenox, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue Lovenox, taking into account the importance of Lovenox to the mother and the known benefits of nursing.

### Pediatric Use
- Safety and effectiveness of Lovenox in pediatric patients have not been established.

### Geriatic Use

### Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Hip, Knee and Abdominal Surgery; Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis, Prevention of Ischemic Complications of Unstable Angina and Non-Q-wave Myocardial Infarction
- Over 2800 patients, 65 years and older, have received Lovenox in pivotal clinical trials. The efficacy of Lovenox in the geriatric (65 years) was similar to that seen in younger patients (<65 years). The incidence of bleeding complications was similar between geriatric and younger patients when 30 mg every 12 hours or 40 mg once a day doses of Lovenox were employed. The incidence of bleeding complications was higher in geriatric patients as compared to younger patients when Lovenox was administered at doses of 1.5 mg/kg once a day or 1 mg/kg every 12 hours. The risk of Lovenox-associated bleeding increased with age. Serious adverse events increased with age for patients receiving Lovenox. Other clinical experience (including postmarketing surveillance and literature reports) has not revealed additional differences in the safety of Lovenox between geriatric and younger patients. Careful attention to dosing intervals and concomitant medications (especially antiplatelet medications) is advised. Lovenox should be used with care in geriatric patients who may show delayed elimination of enoxaparin. Monitoring of geriatric patients with low body weight (<45 kg) and those predisposed to decreased renal function should be considered.

### Treatment of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
- In the clinical study for treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, there was no evidence of difference in efficacy between patients 75 years of age (n = 1241) and patients less than 75 years of age (n=9015). Patients 75 years of age did not receive a 30 mg IV bolus prior to the normal dosage regimen and had their SC dose adjusted to 0.75 mg/kg every 12 hours. The incidence of bleeding complications was higher in patients 65 years of age as compared to younger patients (<65 years).

### Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Enoxaparin with respect to specific gender populations.

### Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Enoxaparin with respect to specific racial populations.

### Renal Impairment
- In patients with renal impairment, there is an increase in exposure of enoxaparin sodium. All such patients should be observed carefully for signs and symptoms of bleeding. Because exposure of enoxaparin sodium is significantly increased in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min), a dosage adjustment is recommended for therapeutic and prophylactic dosage ranges. No dosage adjustment is recommended in patients with moderate (creatinine clearance 3050 mL/min) and mild (creatinine clearance 5080 mL/min) renal impairment. In patients with renal failure, treatment with enoxaparin has been associated with the development of hyperkalemia .

### Hepatic Impairment
- The impact of hepatic impairment on enoxaparin's exposure and antithrombotic effect has not been investigated. Caution should be exercised when administering enoxaparin to patients with hepatic impairment.

### Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Enoxaparin in women of reproductive potentials and males.

### Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Enoxaparin in patients who are immunocompromised.

### Low-Weight Patients
- An increase in exposure of enoxaparin sodium with prophylactic dosages (non-weight adjusted) has been observed in low-weight women (<45 kg) and low-weight men (<57 kg). All such patients should be observed carefully for signs and symptoms of bleeding.

# Administration and Monitoring

### Administration
- Lovenox is a clear, colorless to pale yellow sterile solution, and as with other parenteral drug products, should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.
- The use of a tuberculin syringe or equivalent is recommended when using Lovenox multiple-dose vials to assure withdrawal of the appropriate volume of drug.
- Lovenox must not be administered by intramuscular injection. Lovenox is intended for use under the guidance of a physician.
- For subcutaneous administration, patients may self-inject only if their physicians determine that it is appropriate and with medical follow-up, as necessary. Proper training in subcutaneous injection technique (with or without the assistance of an injection device) should be provided.
Subcutaneous Injection Technique:
- Patients should be lying down and Lovenox administered by deep SC injection. To avoid the loss of drug when using the 30 and 40 mg prefilled syringes, do not expel the air bubble from the syringe before the injection. Administration should be alternated between the left and right anterolateral and left and right posterolateral abdominal wall. The whole length of the needle should be introduced into a skin fold held between the thumb and forefinger; the skin fold should be held throughout the injection. To minimize bruising, do not rub the injection site after completion of the injection.
- Lovenox prefilled syringes and graduated prefilled syringes are for single, one-time use only and are available with a system that shields the needle after injection.
- Remove the prefilled syringe from the blister packaging by peeling at the arrow as directed on the blister. Do not remove by pulling on the plunger as this may damage the syringe.
1.Remove the needle shield by pulling it straight off the syringe (see Figure A). If adjusting the dose is required, the dose adjustment must be done prior to injecting the prescribed dose to the patient.
Figure A
- Inject using standard technique, pushing the plunger to the bottom of the syringe (see Figure B).
Figure B
Remove the syringe from the injection site keeping your finger on the plunger rod (see Figure C).
Figure C
- Orient the needle away from you and others, and activate the safety system by firmly pushing the plunger rod. The protective sleeve will automatically cover the needle and an audible "click" will be heard to confirm shield activation (see Figure D).
Figure D
- Immediately dispose of the syringe in the nearest sharps container (see Figure E).
Figure E
NOTE:
- The safety system can only be activated once the syringe has been emptied.
- Activation of the safety system must be done only after removing the needle from the patient's skin.
- Do not replace the needle shield after injection.
- The safety system should not be sterilized.
- Activation of the safety system may cause minimal splatter of fluid. For optimal safety activate the system while orienting it downwards away from yourself and others.
Intravenous (Bolus) Injection Technique:
- For intravenous injection, the multiple-dose vial should be used. Lovenox should be administered through an intravenous line. Lovenox should not be mixed or co-administered with other medications. To avoid the possible mixture of Lovenox with other drugs, the intravenous access chosen should be flushed with a sufficient amount of saline or dextrose solution prior to and following the intravenous bolus administration of Lovenox to clear the port of drug. Lovenox may be safely administered with normal saline solution (0.9%) or 5% dextrose in water.

### Monitoring
- All patients should be evaluated for a bleeding disorder before administration of Enoxaparin Sodium Injection, unless the medication is needed urgently. Since coagulation parameters are unsuitable for monitoring Enoxaparin Sodium Injection activity, routine monitoring of coagulation parameters is not required
- Thrombocytopenia of any degree should be monitored closely. If the platelet count falls below 100,000/mm3, enoxaparin sodium injection should be discontinued. Cases of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis have also been observed in clinical practice. Some of these cases were complicated by organ infarction, limb ischemia, or death
- Women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves may be at higher risk for thromboembolism during pregnancy, and, when pregnant, have a higher rate of fetal loss from stillbirth, spontaneous abortion and premature delivery. Therefore, frequent monitoring of peak and trough anti-Factor Xa levels, and adjusting of dosage may be needed
- Anti-Factor Xa may be used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of enoxaparin sodium injection in patients with significant renal impairment. If during enoxaparin sodium injection therapy abnormal coagulation parameters or bleeding should occur, anti-Factor Xa levels may be used to monitor the anticoagulant effects of enoxaparin sodium injection
- Whenever possible, agents which may enhance the risk of hemorrhage should be discontinued prior to initiation of enoxaparin sodium injection therapy. These agents include medications such as: anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors including acetylsalicylic acid, salicylates, NSAIDs (including ketorolac tromethamine), dipyridamole, or sulfinpyrazone. If co-administration is essential, conduct close clinical and laboratory monitoring
- Monitoring of geriatric patients with low body weight (<45 kg) and those predisposed to decreased renal function should be considered

# IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Enoxaparin and IV administrations.

# Overdosage
- Accidental overdosage following administration of Lovenox may lead to hemorrhagic complications. Injected Lovenox may be largely neutralized by the slow IV injection of protamine sulfate (1% solution). The dose of protamine sulfate should be equal to the dose of Lovenox injected: 1 mg protamine sulfate should be administered to neutralize 1 mg Lovenox, if enoxaparin sodium was administered in the previous 8 hours. An infusion of 0.5 mg protamine per 1 mg of enoxaparin sodium may be administered if enoxaparin sodium was administered greater than 8 hours previous to the protamine administration, or if it has been determined that a second dose of protamine is required. The second infusion of 0.5 mg protamine sulfate per 1 mg of Lovenox may be administered if the aPTT measured 2 to 4 hours after the first infusion remains prolonged.
- If at least 12 hours have elapsed since the last enoxaparin sodium injection, protamine administration may not be required; however, even with higher doses of protamine, the aPTT may remain more prolonged than following administration of heparin. In all cases, the anti-Factor Xa activity is never completely neutralized (maximum about 60%). Particular care should be taken to avoid overdosage with protamine sulfate. Administration of protamine sulfate can cause severe hypotensive and anaphylactoid reactions. Because fatal reactions, often resembling anaphylaxis, have been reported with protamine sulfate, it should be given only when resuscitation techniques and treatment of anaphylactic shock are readily available. For additional information consult the labeling of protamine sulfate injection products.

# Pharmacology

## Mechanism of Action
- Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin which has antithrombotic properties.

## Structure
- Lovenox is a sterile aqueous solution containing enoxaparin sodium, a low molecular weight heparin. The pH of the injection is 5.5 to 7.5.
- Enoxaparin sodium is obtained by alkaline depolymerization of heparin benzyl ester derived from porcine intestinal mucosa. Its structure is characterized by a 2-O-sulfo-4-enepyranosuronic acid group at the non-reducing end and a 2-N,6-O-disulfo-D-glucosamine at the reducing end of the chain. About 20% (ranging between 15% and 25%) of the enoxaparin structure contains an 1,6 anhydro derivative on the reducing end of the polysaccharide chain. The drug substance is the sodium salt. The average molecular weight is about 4500 daltons. The molecular weight distribution is:
- <2000 daltons             20%
- 2000 to 8000 daltons  68%
- >8000 daltons             18%
- STRUCTURAL FORMULA
- Lovenox 100 mg/mL Concentration contains 10 mg enoxaparin sodium (approximate anti-Factor Xa activity of 1000 IU ) per 0.1 mL Water for Injection.
- Lovenox 150 mg/mL Concentration contains 15 mg enoxaparin sodium (approximate anti-Factor Xa activity of 1500 IU ) per 0.1 mL Water for Injection.
- The Lovenox prefilled syringes and graduated prefilled syringes are preservative-free and intended for use only as a single-dose injection. The multiple-dose vial contains 15 mg benzyl alcohol per 1 mL as a preservative

## Pharmacodynamics
- In humans, enoxaparin given at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) is characterized by a higher ratio of anti-Factor Xa to anti-Factor IIa activity (mean  SD, 14.0  3.1) (based on areas under anti-Factor activity versus time curves) compared to the ratios observed for heparin (meanSD, 1.22  0.13). Increases of up to 1.8 times the control values were seen in the thrombin time (TT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Enoxaparin at a 1 mg/kg dose (100 mg/mL concentration), administered SC every 12 hours to patients in a large clinical trial resulted in aPTT values of 45 seconds or less in the majority of patients (n = 1607). A 30 mg IV bolus immediately followed by a 1 mg/kg SC administration resulted in aPTT post-injection values of 50 seconds. The average aPTT prolongation value on Day 1 was about 16% higher than on Day 4.

## Pharmacokinetics
There is limited information regarding Enoxaparin Pharmacokinetics in the drug label.

## Nonclinical Toxicology
- Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
- No long-term studies in animals have been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of enoxaparin. Enoxaparin was not mutagenic in in vitro tests, including the Ames test, mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation test, and human lymphocyte chromosomal aberration test, and the in vivo rat bone marrow chromosomal aberration test. Enoxaparin was found to have no effect on fertility or reproductive performance of male and female rats at SC doses up to 20 mg/kg/day or 141 mg/m2/day. The maximum human dose in clinical trials was 2.0 mg/kg/day or 78 mg/m2/day (for an average body weight of 70 kg, height of 170 cm, and body surface area of 1.8 m2).
- Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology
- A single SC dose of 46.4 mg/kg enoxaparin was lethal to rats. The symptoms of acute toxicity were ataxia, decreased motility, dyspnea, cyanosis, and coma.
- Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology
- Teratology studies have been conducted in pregnant rats and rabbits at SC doses of enoxaparin up to 30 mg/kg/day corresponding to 211 mg/m2/day and 410 mg/m2/day in rats and rabbits respectively. There was no evidence of teratogenic effects or fetotoxicity due to enoxaparin.

# Clinical Studies

## Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Abdominal Surgery in Patients at Risk for Thromboembolic Complications
- Abdominal surgery patients at risk include those who are over 40 years of age, obese, undergoing surgery under general anesthesia lasting longer than 30 minutes or who have additional risk factors such as malignancy or a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE).
- In a double-blind, parallel group study of patients undergoing elective cancer surgery of the gastrointestinal, urological, or gynecological tract, a total of 1116 patients were enrolled in the study, and 1115 patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 32 to 97 years (mean age 67 years) with 52.7% men and 47.3% women. Patients were 98% Caucasian, 1.1% Black, 0.4% Asian and 0.4% others. Lovenox 40 mg SC, administered once a day, beginning 2 hours prior to surgery and continuing for a maximum of 12 days after surgery, was comparable to heparin 5000 U every 8 hours SC in reducing the risk of DVT. The efficacy data are provided below .
- In a second double-blind, parallel group study, Lovenox 40 mg SC once a day was compared to heparin 5000 U every 8 hours SC in patients undergoing colorectal surgery (one-third with cancer). A total of 1347 patients were randomized in the study and all patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 92 years (mean age 50.1 years) with 54.2% men and 45.8% women. Treatment was initiated approximately 2 hours prior to surgery and continued for approximately 7 to 10 days after surgery. The efficacy data are provided below .

## Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery
- Lovenox has been shown to reduce the risk of post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following hip or knee replacement surgery.
- In a double-blind study, Lovenox 30 mg every 12 hours SC was compared to placebo in patients with hip replacement. A total of 100 patients were randomized in the study and all patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 41 to 84 years (mean age 67.1 years) with 45% men and 55% women. After hemostasis was established, treatment was initiated 12 to 24 hours after surgery and was continued for 10 to 14 days after surgery. The efficacy data are provided below .
- A double-blind, multicenter study compared three dosing regimens of Lovenox in patients with hip replacement. A total of 572 patients were randomized in the study and 568 patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 31 to 88 years (mean age 64.7 years) with 63% men and 37% women. Patients were 93% Caucasian, 6% Black, <1% Asian, and 1% others. Treatment was initiated within two days after surgery and was continued for 7 to 11 days after surgery. The efficacy data are provided below .
- There was no significant difference between the 30 mg every 12 hours and 40 mg once a day regimens. In a double-blind study, Lovenox 30 mg every 12 hours SC was compared to placebo in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. A total of 132 patients were randomized in the study and 131 patients were treated, of which 99 had total knee replacement and 32 had either unicompartmental knee replacement or tibial osteotomy. The 99 patients with total knee replacement ranged in age from 42 to 85 years (mean age 70.2 years) with 36.4% men and 63.6% women. After hemostasis was established, treatment was initiated 12 to 24 hours after surgery and was continued up to 15 days after surgery. The incidence of proximal and total DVT after surgery was significantly lower for Lovenox compared to placebo. The efficacy data are provided below .
- Additionally, in an open-label, parallel group, randomized clinical study, Lovenox 30 mg every 12 hours SC in patients undergoing elective knee replacement surgery was compared to heparin 5000 U every 8 hours SC. A total of 453 patients were randomized in the study and all were treated. Patients ranged in age from 38 to 90 years (mean age 68.5 years) with 43.7% men and 56.3% women. Patients were 92.5% Caucasian, 5.3% Black, and 0.6% others. Treatment was initiated after surgery and continued up to 14 days. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was significantly lower for Lovenox compared to heparin.
- Extended Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Hip Replacement Surgery: In a study of extended prophylaxis for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery, patients were treated, while hospitalized, with Lovenox 40 mg SC, initiated up to 12 hours prior to surgery for the prophylaxis of post-operative DVT. At the end of the peri-operative period, all patients underwent bilateral venography. In a double-blind design, those patients with no venous thromboembolic disease were randomized to a post-discharge regimen of either Lovenox 40 mg (n = 90) once a day SC or to placebo (n = 89) for 3 weeks. A total of 179 patients were randomized in the double-blind phase of the study and all patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 47 to 87 years (mean age 69.4 years) with 57% men and 43% women. In this population of patients, the incidence of DVT during extended prophylaxis was significantly lower for Lovenox compared to placebo. The efficacy data are provided below .
- In a second study, patients undergoing hip replacement surgery were treated, while hospitalized, with Lovenox 40 mg SC, initiated up to 12 hours prior to surgery. All patients were examined for clinical signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. In a double-blind design, patients without clinical signs and symptoms of VTE disease were randomized to a post-discharge regimen of either Lovenox 40 mg (n = 131) once a day SC or to placebo (n = 131) for 3 weeks. A total of 262 patients were randomized in the study double-blind phase and all patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 44 to 87 years (mean age 68.5 years) with 43.1% men and 56.9% women. Similar to the first study the incidence of DVT during extended prophylaxis was significantly lower for Lovenox compared to placebo, with a statistically significant difference in both total DVT (Lovenox 21  versus placebo 45 ; p = 0.001) and proximal DVT (Lovenox 8  versus placebo 28 ; p = <0.001).

## Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Medical Patients with Severely Restricted Mobility During Acute Illness
- In a double blind multicenter, parallel group study, Lovenox 20 mg or 40 mg once a day SC was compared to placebo in the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness (defined as walking distance of <10 meters for 3 days). This study included patients with heart failure (NYHA Class III or IV); acute respiratory failure or complicated chronic respiratory insufficiency (not requiring ventilatory support): acute infection (excluding septic shock); or acute rheumatic disorder . A total of 1102 patients were enrolled in the study, and 1073 patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 40 to 97 years (mean age 73 years) with equal proportions of men and women. Treatment continued for a maximum of 14 days (median duration 7 days). When given at a dose of 40 mg once a day SC, Lovenox significantly reduced the incidence of DVT as compared to placebo. The efficacy data are provided below .
- At approximately 3 months following enrollment, the incidence of venous thromboembolism remained significantly lower in the Lovenox 40 mg treatment group versus the placebo treatment group.

## Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis with or without Pulmonary Embolism
- In a multicenter, parallel group study, 900 patients with acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with or without pulmonary embolism (PE) were randomized to an inpatient (hospital) treatment of either (i) Lovenox 1.5 mg/kg once a day SC, (ii) Lovenox 1 mg/kg every 12 hours SC, or (iii) heparin IV bolus (5000 IU) followed by a continuous infusion (administered to achieve an aPTT of 55 to 85 seconds). A total of 900 patients were randomized in the study and all patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 92 years (mean age 60.7 years) with 54.7% men and 45.3% women. All patients also received warfarin sodium (dose adjusted according to PT to achieve an International Normalization Ratio  of 2.0 to 3.0), commencing within 72 hours of initiation of Lovenox or standard heparin therapy, and continuing for 90 days. Lovenox or standard heparin therapy was administered for a minimum of 5 days and until the targeted warfarin sodium INR was achieved. Both Lovenox regimens were equivalent to standard heparin therapy in reducing the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (DVT and/or PE). The efficacy data are provided below .
- Similarly, in a multicenter, open-label, parallel group study, patients with acute proximal DVT were randomized to Lovenox or heparin. Patients who could not receive outpatient therapy were excluded from entering the study. Outpatient exclusion criteria included the following: inability to receive outpatient heparin therapy because of associated co-morbid conditions or potential for non-compliance and inability to attend follow-up visits as an outpatient because of geographic inaccessibility. Eligible patients could be treated in the hospital, but ONLY Lovenox patients were permitted to go home on therapy (72%). A total of 501 patients were randomized in the study and all patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 96 years (mean age 57.8 years) with 60.5% men and 39.5% women. Patients were randomized to either Lovenox 1 mg/kg every 12 hours SC or heparin IV bolus (5000 IU) followed by a continuous infusion administered to achieve an aPTT of 60 to 85 seconds (in-patient treatment). All patients also received warfarin sodium as described in the previous study. Lovenox or standard heparin therapy was administered for a minimum of 5 days. Lovenox was equivalent to standard heparin therapy in reducing the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism. The efficacy data are provided below .

## Prophylaxis of Ischemic Complications in Unstable Angina and Non-Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction
- In a multicenter, double-blind, parallel group study, patients who recently experienced unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction were randomized to either Lovenox 1 mg/kg every 12 hours SC or heparin IV bolus (5000 U) followed by a continuous infusion (adjusted to achieve an aPTT of 55 to 85 seconds). A total of 3171 patients were enrolled in the study, and 3107 patients were treated. Patients ranged in age from 2594 years (median age 64 years), with 33.4% of patients female and 66.6% male. Race was distributed as follows: 89.8% Caucasian, 4.8% Black, 2.0% Asian, and 3.5% other. All patients were also treated with aspirin 100 to 325 mg per day. Treatment was initiated within 24 hours of the event and continued until clinical stabilization, revascularization procedures, or hospital discharge, with a maximal duration of 8 days of therapy. The combined incidence of the triple endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, or recurrent angina was lower for Lovenox compared with heparin therapy at 14 days after initiation of treatment. The lower incidence of the triple endpoint was sustained up to 30 days after initiation of treatment. These results were observed in an analysis of both all-randomized and all-treated patients. The efficacy data are provided below .
- The combined incidence of death or myocardial infarction at all time points was lower for Lovenox compared to standard heparin therapy, but did not achieve statistical significance. The efficacy data are provided below .
- In a survey one year following treatment, with information available for 92% of enrolled patients, the combined incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or recurrent angina remained lower for Lovenox versus heparin (32.0% vs 35.7%).
- Urgent revascularization procedures were performed less frequently in the Lovenox group as compared to the heparin group, 6.3% compared to 8.2% at 30 days (p = 0.047).

## Treatment of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
- In a multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study, patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were to be hospitalized within 6 hours of onset and were eligible to receive fibrinolytic therapy were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Lovenox or unfractionated heparin.
- Study medication was initiated between 15 minutes before and 30 minutes after the initiation of fibrinolytic therapy. Unfractionated heparin was administered beginning with an IV bolus of 60 U/kg (maximum 4000 U) and followed with an infusion of 12 U/kg per hour (initial maximum 1000 U per hour) that was adjusted to maintain an aPTT of 1.5 to 2 times the control value. The IV infusion was to be given for at least 48 hours. The enoxaparin dosing strategy was adjusted according to the patient's age and renal function. For patients younger than 75 years of age, enoxaparin was given as a single 30 mg intravenous bolus plus a 1 mg/kg SC dose followed by an SC injection of 1 mg/kg every 12 hours. For patients at least 75 years of age, the IV bolus was not given and the SC dose was reduced to 0.75 mg/kg every 12 hours. For patients with severe renal insufficiency (estimated creatinine clearance of less than 30 mL per minute), the dose was to be modified to 1 mg/kg every 24 hours. The SC injections of enoxaparin were given until hospital discharge or for a maximum of eight days (whichever came first). The mean treatment duration for enoxaparin was 6.6 days. The mean treatment duration of unfractionated heparin was 54 hours.
- When percutaneous coronary intervention was performed during study medication period, patients received antithrombotic support with blinded study drug. For patients on enoxaparin, the PCI was to be performed on enoxaparin (no switch) using the regimen established in previous studies, i.e. no additional dosing, if the last SC administration was less than 8 hours before balloon inflation, IV bolus of 0.3 mg/kg enoxaparin if the last SC administration was more than 8 hours before balloon inflation.
- All patients were treated with aspirin for a minimum of 30 days. Eighty percent of patients received a fibrin-specific agent (19% tenecteplase, 5% reteplase and 55% alteplase) and 20% received streptokinase.
- Among 20,479 patients in the ITT population, the mean age was 60 years, and 76% were male. Racial distribution was: 87% Caucasian, 9.8% Asian, 0.2% Black, and 2.8% other. Medical history included previous MI (13%), hypertension (44%), diabetes (15%) and angiographic evidence of CAD (5%). Concomitant medication included aspirin (95%), beta-blockers (86%), ACE inhibitors (78%), statins (70%) and clopidogrel (27%). The MI at entry was anterior in 43%, non-anterior in 56%, and both in 1%.
- The primary efficacy end point was the composite of death from any cause or myocardial re-infarction in the first 30 days after randomization. Total follow-up was one year.
- The rate of the primary efficacy end point (death or myocardial re-infarction) was 9.9% in the enoxaparin group, and 12.0% in the unfractionated heparin group, a 17% reduction in the relative risk, (P=0.000003) .
- The beneficial effect of enoxaparin on the primary end point was consistent across key subgroups including age, gender, infarct location, history of diabetes, history of prior myocardial infarction, fibrinolytic agent administered, and time to treatment with study drug (see Figure 1); however, it is necessary to interpret such subgroup analyses with caution.
- The beneficial effect of enoxaparin on the primary end point observed during the first 30 days was maintained over a 12 month follow-up period (see Figure 2).
- There is a trend in favor of enoxaparin during the first 48 hours, but most of the treatment difference is attributed to a step increase in the event rate in the UFH group at 48 hours (seen inFigure 2), an effect that is more striking when comparing the event rates just prior to and just subsequent to actual times of discontinuation. These results provide evidence that UFH was effective and that it would be better if used longer than 48 hours. There is a similar increase in endpoint event rate when enoxaparin was discontinued, suggesting that it too was discontinued too soon in this study.
- The rates of major hemorrhages (defined as requiring 5 or more units of blood for transfusion, or 15% drop in hematocrit or clinically overt bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage) at 30 days were 2.1% in the enoxaparin group and 1.4% in the unfractionated heparin group. The rates of intracranial hemorrhage at 30 days were 0.8% in the enoxaparin group 0.7% in the unfractionated heparin group. The 30-day rate of the composite endpoint of death, myocardial re-infarction or ICH (a measure of net clinical benefit) was significantly lower in the enoxaparin group (10.1%) as compared to the heparin group (12.2%).

# How Supplied
- Lovenox is available in two concentrations :

## Storage
- Store at 25C (77F); excursions permitted to 1530C (5986F).
- Do not store the multiple-dose vials for more than 28 days after the first use.

# Images

## Drug Images

## Package and Label Display Panel

# Patient Counseling Information
- If patients have had neuraxial anesthesia or spinal puncture, and particularly, if they are taking concomitant NSAIDs, platelet inhibitors, or other anticoagulants, they should be informed to watch for signs and symptoms of spinal or epidural hematoma, such as tingling, numbness (especially in the lower limbs) and muscular weakness. If any of these symptoms occur the patient should contact his or her physician immediately.
- Additionally, the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs may enhance the risk of hemorrhage. Their use should be discontinued prior to enoxaparin therapy whenever possible; if co-administration is essential, the patient's clinical and laboratory status should be closely monitored.
- Patients should also be informed:
- of the instructions for injecting Lovenox if their therapy is to continue after discharge from the hospitals.
- it may take them longer than usual to stop bleeding.
- they may bruise and/or bleed more easily when they are treated with Lovenox.
- they should report any unusual bleeding, bruising, or signs of thrombocytopenia (such as a rash of dark red spots under the skin) to their physician.
- to tell their physicians and dentists they are taking Lovenox and/or any other product known to affect bleeding before any surgery is scheduled and before any new drug istaken.
- to tell their physicians and dentists of all medications they are taking, including those obtained without a prescription, such as aspirin or other NSAIDs .

# Precautions with Alcohol
- Alcohol-Enoxaparin interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

# Brand Names
- ENOXAPARIN SODIUM

# Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Enoxaparin Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.

# Drug Shortage Status

# Price