Lovenox vs. Coumadin

• Are Coumadin and Lovenox the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lovenox?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Coumadin?
• What is Lovenox?
• What is Coumadin?
• What Drugs Interact with Lovenox?
• What Drugs Interact with Coumadin?
• How Should Lovenox Be Taken?
• How Should Coumadin Be Taken?

Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) and Coumadin (warfarin) are blood thinners (anticoagulants) used to prevent blood clots and to reduce or prevent the chance of developing heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), strokes, and venous and other blood clots (deep venous thrombosis [DVTs], pulmonary emboli and thrombi produced with atrial fibrillation).

Lovenox is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attacks called non-Q-wave myocardial infarction or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Lovenox may cause serious side effects, including:

• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• fever,
• swelling in your hands or feet, or
• injection site reactions (swelling, pain, bruising, or redness).

Common side effects of Coumadin include:

• easy bruising and bleeding,
• nausea, vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• gas, or
• altered sense of taste

Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium) Injection is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent blood clots that are sometimes called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs. A DVT can occur after certain types of surgery, or in people who are bed-ridden due to a prolonged illness. Lovenox is also used to prevent blood vessel complications in people with certain types of angina (chest pain) or heart attacks called non-Q-wave myocardial infarction or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Coumadin is prescription medicine used to treat blood clots and to lower the chance of blood clots forming in your body. Blood clots can cause a stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions if they form in the legs or lungs.

It is not known if Coumadin is safe and effective in children.

Lovenox may interact with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other medicines to prevent blood clots.

Lovenox may also interact with dextran.

Coumadin may interact with antibiotics, St. John's wort, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antifungal medications.

Coumadin may also interact with other medications to prevent blood clots, sulfa drugs, medicines to treat tuberculosis, antidepressants, herbal (botanical) products (including coenzyme Q10, cranberry, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, or goldenseal), secobarbital, barbiturates, and seizure medications.

The recommended dose of Lovenox for most patients is 5 mg taken orally twice daily.

The recommended dose of Lovenox is 2.5 mg twice daily in patients with at least two of the following characteristics:

• age ≥ 80 years
• body weight ≤ 60 kg
• serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL

• Take Coumadin exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose from time to time depending on your response to Coumadin.
• You must have regular blood tests and visits with your healthcare provider to monitor your condition.
• If you miss a dose of Coumadin, call your healthcare provider. Take the dose as soon as possible on the same day. Do not take a double dose of Coumadin the next day to make up for a missed dose.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you:

• take too much Coumadin
• are sick with diarrhea, an infection, or have a fever
• fall or injure yourself, especially if you hit your head. Your healthcare provider may need to check you