Why Do They Give Blood Thinner Shots In The Stomach

How To Use Lovenox Syringe

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using enoxaparin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is given by injection under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice a day in the abdomen . Do not inject into a muscle. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. The dosage may also be based on your age and weight for some conditions. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. To minimize bruising, do not rub the injection site after a shot. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

This medication may also be given by injection into a vein by a health care professional, as directed by your doctor.

How To Prepare The Injection

Lovenox: What You Should Know After Surgery

Understand the risks and side effects of blood thinners

Jennifer Schwartz, MD, is board-certified in general surgery with a subspecialty certification in bariatric surgery. She serves as an assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine, and practices in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Angela Underwood’s extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder.

Lovenox, also known as enoxaparin, is a prescription blood thinner. It is used to reduce the ability of the blood to clot in individuals who have issues with blood clotting, and in hospitalized patients who are at an increased risk of forming a blood clot.Surgery patients are known to be at a higher risk of forming blood clots after surgery, so that patient population is even more likely to need a medication to prevent blood clots.

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Do Blood Thinner Injections Given After Abdominal Surgery Further Reduce Blood Clots If Continued After Discharge From The Hospital

Review question

For persons having surgery on the abdomen and pelvis, does continuing blood thinner injections after discharge from a hospital stay decrease the likelihood of developing a blood clot in the lower limbs or lungs when compared to usual treatment in the hospital?

Why is this important?

The complication of developing a blood clot can range from asymptomatic to potentially fatal, depending on the location and severity of the clot. After a postoperative patient is considered safe for discharge from the hospital, evidence suggests an ongoing risk for developing a blood clot in the weeks to months following the operation. Although recommended by some guidelines, not all physicians recommend discharging a postoperative patient home with a prolonged course of blood thinner injections.

What was found?

What does this mean?

Continuation of blood thinning injections for at least 14 days after abdominal or pelvic surgery reduces the risk of blood clots.

This an update of the review first published in 2009.

Major abdominal and pelvic surgery carries a high risk of venous thromboembolism . The efficacy of thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin administered during the in-hospital period is well-documented, but the optimal duration of prophylaxis after surgery remains controversial. Some studies suggest that patients undergoing major abdominopelvic surgery benefit from prolongation of the prophylaxis up to 28 days after surgery.

Warnings For People With Certain Health Conditions

For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well. This may cause the drug to build up in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may decrease your dosage if you have severe kidney disease.

For people with a low body weight: Women who weigh less than 99 lb and men who weigh less than 126 lb may have higher levels of enoxaparin in their bodies. Your doctor may monitor you more closely for signs of bleeding. They may also give you a lower dosage to avoid side effects.

For people with a high body weight: This drug hasnt been studied well in people who are obese . If youre obese, your doctor may monitor you more closely for signs of a clot. They may also do tests to see if your dose needs to be changed.

For people with diabetes-related eye problems: This drug can cause bleeding. If you have retinopathy from diabetes that means the blood vessels in your eyes already leak blood. Taking this drug puts you at high risk for hemorrhage .

For people with high blood pressure: This drug can cause bleeding. If you have high blood pressure that isnt controlled, youre at high risk for hemorrhage .

For people with a history of a stomach ulcer: If youve recently had a stomach ulcer, ask your doctor whether this drug is safe for you.

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Dosage For The Prevention Of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Adult dosage

• People whove had abdominal surgery: 40 mg injected once per day
• People whove had knee replacement surgery: 30 mg injected every 12 hours
• People whove had hip replacement surgery: 30 mg injected every 12 hours or 40 mg injected once per day
• People who are in the hospital and cant move much: 40 mg injected once per day

Child dosage

It hasnt been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with severe kidney problems:

• People whove had abdominal surgery: 30 mg injected once per day
• People whove had hip or knee replacement surgery: 30 mg injected once per day
• People who are in the hospital and cant move much: 30 mg injected once per day

Videostaying Active And Healthy With Blood Thinners

People often worry about how routine medicines like blood thinner pills will affect their lifestyles. With a few simple steps, taking a blood thinner can be safe and easy. In fact, more than 2 million people take blood thinners every day to keep them from developing dangerous blood clots. Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners is a 10-minute video that shows how small changes in daily routines can help people take blood thinners safely.

What is a blood thinner? What does it do? Why it is helpful? These questions are answered in this video, which features easy-to-understand explanations of how blood thinners work and why it’s important to take them correctly. It also introduces BEST, an easy way to remember how to fit blood thinner medication into daily life.

Be Careful

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How To Safely Throw Away Your Medical Sharps

• If you live in New York City, you can place the sealed container with your regular trash for collection. Dont put it with your recyclable trash.
• If you live in a different county of New York or in another state, check with your local health department for instructions.
• You can also bring the sealed container to:
• Your healthcare provider at your next clinic visit.
• Any hospital or nursing home in New York State.
• Your local pharmacy.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blood in your urine.
• Bloody or black, tarry stools.
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
• Large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg .
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Uneven heartbeat.
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
• Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given.

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Things To Know About Taking Blood Thinners Safely

• Atrial Fibrillation
• 7 Things to Know About Taking Blood Thinners Safely

If youve been diagnosed with an abnormal heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation or afib, your doctor may recommend taking blood thinners, also called anticoagulants. These medications reduce the bloods ability to clot, lowering your risk of stroke.

Your body creates clots to stop you from bleeding. If you fall or bump your head while taking a blood thinner, you may have internal bleeding even if theres no external sign youve been hurt.

Mercy Clinic Cardiology has 7 things you should know about blood thinners:

How To Manage Nuisance Bleeding

• People who take blood thinners can still engage in most of the activities that they enjoy. They just need to take some extra precautions and, for example:
• Be cautious about activities, such as high-risk sports, that may result in injury, and always wear proper safety gear, for example, a bike helmet when cycling
• Wear protective gloves when working with tools, such as gardening shears or other sharp instruments
• Be careful when trimming hair or nails
• Use a soft toothbrush
• Wear shoes to avoid cuts on feet

Blood thinning medications save lives. People who take these medications can avoid or reduce bleeding risks by taking their blood thinning medication as directed by their doctor, and, when taking the oral blood thinning medication warfarin, by having their blood monitored regularly. People who take blood thinners should report any bleeding or unusual bruising to their healthcare provider. Some bleeding can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Some bleeding is superficial and not life-threatening, but can still be a nuisance. When nuisance bleeding does occur, over-the-counter products can help stop bleeding quickly and safely.

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Things To Consider When Taking Anticoagulants

There are several things you need to be aware of when taking anticoagulant medicines.

If you’re going to have surgery or a test such as an endoscopy, make sure your doctor or surgeon is aware that you’re taking anticoagulants, as you may have to stop taking them for a short time.

Speak to your GP, anticoagulant clinic or pharmacist before taking any other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as some medicines can affect how your anticoagulant works.

If you’re taking warfarin, you’ll also need to avoid making significant changes to what you normally eat and drink, as this can affect your medicine.

Most anticoagulant medicines aren’t suitable for pregnant women. Speak to your GP or anticoagulant clinic if you become pregnant or are planning to try for a baby while taking anticoagulants.

Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide To Using Them Safely

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers a free booklet and a video about blood thinner medicines. Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners, a 10-minute video, features easy-to-understand explanations of how blood thinners work and why it’s important to take them correctly. Blood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely, a 24-page booklet, explains how these pills can help prevent dangerous blood clots from forming and what to expect when taking these medicines.

• BookletBlood Thinner Pills: Your Guide to Using Them Safely

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Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Enoxaparin is used to prevent blood clots in the leg in patients who are on bedrest or who are having hip replacement, knee replacement, or stomach surgery. It is used in combination with aspirin to prevent complications from angina and heart attacks. It is also used in combination with warfarin to treat blood clots in the leg. Enoxaparin is in a class of medications called low molecular weight heparins. It works by stopping the formation of substances that cause clots.

What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Using Heparin Injection

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to heparin or pork products, or if you have:

• a history of low platelets in your blood caused by using heparin or pentosan polysulfate
• a severe lack of platelets in your blood or
• uncontrolled bleeding.

You may not be able to use heparin if you are unable to receive routine blood-clotting tests at the proper intervals during treatment.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an infection of the lining of your heart
• if you use a blood thinner and you have routine “INR” or prothrombin time tests or
• if you are having a menstrual period.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You may need to use a form of heparin that does not contain a preservative.

You should not breastfeed while using heparin.

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About Your Blood Thinner

Your doctor has prescribed a medicine called a blood thinner to prevent blood clots. Blood clots can put you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious medical problems. A blood thinner is a kind of drug called an anticoagulant . “Anti” means against and “coagulant” means to thicken into a gel or solid.

Blood thinner drugs work well when they are used correctly. To help you learn about your medicine, your doctor has given you this booklet to read.

Depending on where you receive care, you may be seen by a doctor, nurse, physicians assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or other health care professional. The term “doctor” is used in this booklet to refer to the person who helps you manage your blood thinner medicine.

You and your doctor will work together as a team to make sure that taking your blood thinner does not stop you from living well and safely. The information in this booklet will help you understand why you are taking a blood thinner and how to keep yourself healthy. Please take time to read all of the information in this booklet.

There are different types of blood thinners. The most common blood thinner that doctors prescribe is warfarin . Your doctor may also discuss using one of the newer blood thinners depending on your individual situation.

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use Lovenox if you are allergic to enoxaparin, heparin, benzyl alcohol, or pork products, or if you have:

• active or uncontrolled bleeding or

• if you had decreased platelets in your blood after testing positive for a certain antibody while using Lovenox within the past 100 days.

Lovenox may cause you to bleed more easily, especially if you have:

• a bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease

• an infection of the lining of your heart

• stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer or

• recent brain, spine, or eye surgery.

Lovenox can cause a very serious blood clot around your spinal cord if you undergo a spinal tap or receive spinal anesthesia . This type of blood clot could cause long-term or permanent paralysis, and may be more likely to occur if:

• you have a spinal cord injury

• you have a spinal catheter in place or if a catheter has been recently removed

• you have a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps

• you have recently had a spinal tap or epidural anesthesia

• you take aspirin or an NSAID – ibuprofen , naproxen , diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others or

• you are using a blood thinner or other medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia

• a stomach ulcer or

• low blood platelets after receiving heparin.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. If you use Lovenox during pregnancy, make sure your doctor knows if you have a mechanical heart valve.

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