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lovenox injections: SC, but where?



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Mar 15, 2006 12:44 AM

lovenox injections: SC, but where?

by lmz

I was told by a seasoned nurse that lovenox (enoxaparin) is never given anywhere but in the abdomen, especially not in the arm. My drug book simply says give only in abdomen (but doesn't say why not elsewhere), but my pharmacology text does not specify location, just that it is given SC. I have done a search on the web and find reputable journal articles showing that it is given SC in abdomen and arms. I am trying to determine the pathophysiology against using the fatty tissue over the triceps. I need to understand why the arm is no good for lovenox. I saw a patient with extensive bleeding in the arm from a lovenox injection, but by his description of how much the injection hurt, I would guess it was not a SC but an IM injection. I would appreciate being pointed in the direction of a source with the answer to this question. I'm trying to develop my practice based on evidence. Thanks!


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48 Comments
No. 1
Old Mar 15, 2006, 02:54 AM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
The best thing that I could come up with on the web was a patient guide for self-injection of Lovenox, put out by Aventis Pharmaceuticals, for their prefilled syringes, and in it, it said:

"May I inject anywhere other than the abdominal area?"

"Using other sites for injecting Lovenox has not been tested. You should contact your healthcare provider if you are having problems with your injections."

In my experience Lovenox is always given in the abdomen, like Heparin, I would guess because there is more adipose tissue there, and it is meant to be absorbed slowly, and as the muscle tissue is very vascular and would absorb the medicine much more rapidly, and fast absorption would naturally lead to a larger chance of excessive bruising in the injection site, and you want to avoid that if you can.


hope this helps!



~Brat
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No. 2
Old Mar 15, 2006, 03:31 AM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
In the abdomen 1 inch from the belly button is what I learned in school. 2 very seasoned nurses on my floor gave Lovenox in the arm per pt request. One called the pharmacy and it was said that it is not absorbed as well if it is not in the abdomen. This pt had an MI (post total knee) while in our care, though it may not be related, it makes you think. On our floor when we give it (after all of this) we document on our MAR the site that we give it, for ex. L abdomen, we try to document in the nurses note where we gave it as well. Protect your patients most importantly, then protect yourself with documentation. If you think about it, if a pt has a high glucose, the abdomen is the best site for insulin due to faster absorbtion, maybe the same case.
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No. 3
from traumaRUs
Old Mar 15, 2006, 05:41 AM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
There is a long discussion thread about this very subject. It is best to follow the package insert which says:

"Subcutaneous Injection Technique: Patients should be lying down and Lovenox Injection 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."

http://www.lovenox.com/consumer/abou...tions.do#where
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No. 4
from LHJ_RN
Old Mar 15, 2006, 08:48 PM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
I am good friends with a Lovenox Rep. The Lovenox company reccomends giving the medication in the "love handles" region.
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No. 5
from loricatus
Old Mar 15, 2006, 09:07 PM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
Originally Posted by LHJ_RN
I am good friends with a Lovenox Rep. The Lovenox company reccomends giving the medication in the "love handles" region.
That's exactly what I have been taught at my hospital. I was told that there were studies to prove it; but, I haven't actually seen the studies-would be very interested in knowing if anyone has info regarding this.
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No. 6
from danigirl58
Old Mar 15, 2006, 09:25 PM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
Hi there I just thought that I would add my own experience to this thread. When I was pregnant I had to use this med, but as I was prego I couldn't obviously inject it into my abdomen. I was told to inject it into my thigh's and let me tell you that it stung like the dickens.... and that being an understatement sometimes I would try to do it 3-5 times before I actually injected it. The other thing I found was that at times there would be knotted tissue areas (under the skin) which also hurt to touch and that being said I'm not sure that I could have handled a waste band of either pants or underwear touching it.

Now my personal experience being said and done, I generally only give it injected into the abdomen ..... as taught in school
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No. 7
from maolin
Old Mar 15, 2006, 10:18 PM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
I could not imagine getting Lovenox in my arms (or thighs)! My personal experience with Lovenox when I had my DVT was awful. I was getting 60mg SQ bid. The med is extremely irritating to the tissues - it feels like a GSW to the abdomen and has a deep ache for about 30 minutes. It doesn't hurt right away - usually the pain started after the RN left the room. And you can't rub or hold pressure to relief the pain. I had bruises all over my belly.

Had I received the injections in my arms, I would not have been able to do anything for myself for a week - feed, hygiene, etc. It's way too painful to get in the arms (way worse than tetanus!). Ouch!
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No. 8
from RNin2007
Old Mar 15, 2006, 11:28 PM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
the lovehandle area? really??

~J
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No. 9
from traumaRUs
Old Mar 16, 2006, 06:07 AM

Default Re: lovenox injections: SC, but where?
YEs, the love handle region is what is recommended.
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