What it means
An anticoagulantan-tee-koh-AG-yoo-luntA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.anti- againstcoagul/o clotting-ant an agent that doesFull entry used to prevent deep vein thrombosisDEEP VAYN throm-BOH-sisA blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.thromb/o clot-osis conditionFull entry after surgery or during bed rest, and to treat DVT, pulmonary embolism and some heart attacks. It needs less monitoring than unfractionated heparinHEP-uh-rinAn anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.Full entry . Its boxed warning is for bleeding around the spinal cord, which can cause paralysis, in clients who have epidural or spinal anesthesia or a lumbar puncture. It can lower the platelet count.
For the nurse
Inject deep under the skin of the abdomen, at least 2 inches from the navel, alternating sides; do not expel the air bubble from a prefilled syringe and do not rub the site. Check the platelet count and watch for bleeding, and teach the client to report black stools, unusual bruising or numbness or weakness in the legs.
At a glance
| Drug class | anticoagulant (low-molecular-weight heparin) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Lovenox |
| Spanish | enoxaparina |
| Also written | Lovenox |
Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
pulmonary embolism
A blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually by a blood clot that has traveled there from elsewhere in the body.
heparin
An anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.
low-molecular-weight heparin
An anticoagulant drug given by subcutaneous injection to prevent and treat blood clots.