Lovenox for the prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition resulting from the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) inside a deep vein, commonly located in the calf or thigh. A DVT blood clot can be the result of a “sluggish” or disturbed blood flow that occurs due to a recent surgery, a prolonged hospital stay, or extended time spent off your feet due to illness or injury.
What is PE?
Once a blood clot forms, it can break off and travel to the lungs. Blood clots in the lungs can cause a Pulmonary Embolism (PE), an extremely serious and potentially fatal condition. In fact, as may as 300,000 people die from PE each year, more than AIDS and breast cancer combined. Lovenox® is a medication that can help reduce the risk of blood clots from forming in the first place. It can also help treat patients who have already been diagnosed with a DVT blood clot.
What increases the risk of DVT blood clots?
Certain health conditions and an extended period of time spent off your feet due to illness or hospital stay can put you at greater risk for developing a DVT blood clot.
Some examples are:
- Increase age
- Smoking
- Birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Cancer and it’s treatment
- Heart failure
- Chronic respiratory failure or COPD
- Major surgery
- Obesity
- Prior DVT blood clot
- Prolonged immobility
- Inherited clotting disorders
Warning signs of a DVT blood clot (clot in leg)
As many as half of all blood clots occur without any symptoms, which is why it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- Pain or tenderness in the leg
- Swelling, discoloration, or redness in the leg
- Warmth of the leg
- Warning sign of PE (clot in lung) may include:
- Chest pain
- Rapid pulse (racing heartbeat)
- Rapid breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Cough, with or without blood in saliva
- Fatigue
- Low grade fever up to 101º
- If you experience any of these symptoms, call your physician immediately.
Levenox® Resources
Download the Lovenox® Treatment Record (PDF)
Download the Lovenox® Self Inject Guide (PDF)
This video is provided to help educate patients on how to properly self-administer Lovenox injection treatments. It is not meant to replace the instruction packed patients have received from their care provider.
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