Query on Lovenox Administration

[TammyWilson808]

I have a buddy of mine that works on the Med/Surg. Unit where I work and is very interested in sites for Lovenox admin. She says she was taught that Lovenox equals love handles and should be admin. in the lateral aspects of abd. What is some other peoples' opinion? There are some RNs that think that ALL insulin injection sites may be used for Lovenox. What do you think?

[bunsterj]

For whoever wanted the package insert...The last place I worked at, The pharmacy removed everything that came in a package so that they could label the actual syringe, vial, etc. I would call them and ask for a package insert and they would send one up in the pneumatic tubes. Also, isn't the information in the PDR (I'm assuming all have easy access to one on your floor) the same as a package insert?

Has anyone ever given it in the posteriorlateral area?

Also, when I first got out of nursing school, I was taught to use an air bubble on all of my IM and SQ injections...somewhere along the way they told us to stop that. Does anyone know the reason why?

[Jaded Med/Surg]

i give it in any area of the body that i can grip some subq fat tissue. important not to rub after nor aspirate before. what does the manufacturer say?

Lovenox drug rep said, "Give it on lateral lower abdomen. Just think about the name and say Lovenox goes in the love handles." "Just keep repeating that to yourself." These were his exact words and I've never strayed from it since. As it was explained to us, after the umpteen thousand trials they've done. This is the site that the drug is absorbed at the rate they wanted for optimal effect.:)

[LifeGoesOn]

Lovenox = grab a good amount of fatty tissue in the abdominal area, two inches away from the umbilicus. Keep the syringe vertical and inject the air bubble all they way.

[SillyInScrubs]

when I first got out of nursing school, I was taught to use an air bubble on all of my IM and SQ injections...somewhere along the way they told us to stop that. Does anyone know the reason why?

I was told that the reason for keeping the air bubble was because when you push out the air, some of the medication gets on the tip of the needle and gets into contact with all tissues on the way in. So if you're giving an IM the med makes contact with the dermal and epidermal layers and it can sting or be damaging to the area. I also seem to remember something about it making the bruising worse, but I'm not positive on that one. I was never told to "stop that". Interesting.

[RussA, BSN, RN]

Previous response(s)/thread indicate site as "lateral" versus packaging direction as: "anterolateral" and/or "posterolateral" of abdomen. Also for the question of not expelling the air from (30 and 40 mg) syringes, is written on insert. Following site from manufacturer from FAQ. When in doubt, I side with written direction versus word-of-mouth practice.

LOVENOX- Questions About Treatment & DVT Blood Clots

[babyhawk73]

We have one doc that writes " in legs only" so we have to give it in the thighs

[agent]

There are some instances if the person has a very tight distended abdomen from abd surg or is very thin sometimes you have to give somewhere else.. its a fair question. I try to avoid arms I dont think that seems like a best practice

[agent]

We have one doc that writes " in legs only" so we have to give it in the thighs

I think outer aspect of thighs would be the 2nd best place if you could not do abdomen