Lovenox injection sites

[iwanna]

I am in a nursing refresher course. My instructor has informed us to give Lovenox injections in the "love handles". Has anyone ever heard of this? I always gave them in the belly, but my instructor told us the love handles is a better site. More fat in that area, and they don't hurt as much. I am willing to try anything that works, if it means less pain. Just curious if anyone else heard of this?

[Jolie, BSN]

What does the manufacturer recommend? Those are the guidelines I would follow.

[Jolie, BSN]

Found it:

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.

http://www.lovenox.com/consumer/default.aspx

[4theBetterGetter, RN]

Found it:

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.

http://www.lovenox.com/consumer/default.aspx

That is correct:nuke:

[iwanna]

Thanks. I will be giving a Lovenox injection on my next clinical day. The information from the lovenox site was very helpful.:nuke:

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

I have never had a patient say they hurt. They are teeny tiny needles.

[nuberianne_RN]

We had an inservice from the drug rep a couple of months ago. He said it goes in the love handles. That freaked me out because my instructors always made me put it in the belly.

[big-chicken]

I had an injection of Lovenox 4 weeks ago while hospitalized. They definately do sting. I was not a happy camper, especially since the nurse didn't explain what she was injecting, why she was injecting it, or ask for my consent.

big-chicken

[premedturnednursing]

I'm still in nursing school, but we were taught LOVEnox in the LOVE handles...that's the way I've done it at every clinical...not even a flinch from the patients!

[dollphyn]

I'm still in nursing school, but we were taught LOVEnox in the LOVE handles...that's the way I've done it at every clinical...not even a flinch from the patients!

I had a teacher in school that actually had this question on a test. She put abdomen 2 inches away from belly button and other answer was in love handles. If you look in NCLEX books, they have Lovenox is given in love handles. I am so glad I read my NCLEX book before taking that test!!!

[Dinsey]

The video from the manufacturer that we show patients says two inches from the belly button. I've also given it in the back of the arm, per patient request.

[Valarenbsn]

Here's my pet peeve on Lovenox.....ya gotta give it VERY slowly so it doesn't hurt (this is from the drug rep and my own practice). Whenever I have a pt that says it hurts, I SLOW down. Also, I find the needles a little on the dull side, so if I have a particularly sensitive pt, I put it in a different syringe. A lot of times this keeps your pt from refusing the shots! I've had a Lovenox shot, and, of course, the RN pushed it fast....OMG!!!! That was a stinger, and it lasted ALL DAY:bluecry1:! By the way, I'm not a "delicate flower", but that really hurt!