Lovenox
Generic: ENOXAPARIN SODIUM
Basic Information
Manufacturer
Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Route of Administration
SUBCUTANEOUS
FDA Set ID
de6fb917-a94a-41ea-9d7d-937d4080ffcd
Indications & Usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Lovenox is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) indicated for: Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in abdominal surgery, hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, or medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness ( 1.1 ) Inpatient treatment of acute DVT with or without pulmonary embolism ( 1.2 ) Outpatient treatment of acute DVT without pulmonary embolism ( 1.2 ) Prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) ( 1.3 ) Treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) managed medically or with subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Lovenox ® is indicated for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE): in patients undergoing abdominal surgery who are at risk for thromboembolic complications [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery, during and following hospitalization in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery in medical patients who are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to severely restricted mobility during acute illness 1.2 Treatment of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis Lovenox is indicated for: the inpatient treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism , when administered in conjunction with warfarin sodium the outpatient treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis without pulmonary embolism, when administered in conjunction with warfarin sodium 1.3 Prophylaxis of Ischemic Complications of Unstable Angina and Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Lovenox is indicated for the prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction, when concurrently administered with aspirin.
1.4 Treatment of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Lovenox, when administered concurrently with aspirin, has been shown to reduce the rate of the combined endpoint of recurrent myocardial infarction or death in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) receiving thrombolysis and being managed medically or with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
1.4 Treatment of Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Lovenox, when administered concurrently with aspirin, has been shown to reduce the rate of the combined endpoint of recurrent myocardial infarction or death in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) receiving thrombolysis and being managed medically or with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Adverse Reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are also discussed in other sections of the labeling: Spinal/epidural hematomas [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Increased Risk of Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Most common adverse reactions (>1%) were bleeding, anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevation of serum aminotransferase, diarrhea, nausea, ecchymosis, fever, edema, peripheral edema, dyspnea, confusion, and injection site pain.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
During clinical development for the approved indications, 15,918 patients were exposed to Lovenox.
These included 1,228 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis following abdominal surgery in patients at risk for thromboembolic complications, 1,368 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis following hip or knee replacement surgery, 711 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness, 1,578 for prophylaxis of ischemic complications in unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction, 10,176 for treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and 857 for treatment of deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism.
Lovenox doses in the clinical trials for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis following abdominal or hip or knee replacement surgery or in medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness ranged from 40 mg subcutaneously once daily to 30 mg subcutaneously twice daily.
In the clinical studies for prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction doses were 1 mg/kg every 12 hours and in the clinical studies for treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction Lovenox doses were a 30 mg intravenous bolus followed by 1 mg/kg every 12 hours subcutaneously.
Hemorrhage The following rates of major bleeding events have been reported during clinical trials with Lovenox (see Tables 2 to 7).
Table 2: Major Bleeding Episodes following Abdominal and Colorectal Surgery Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal, intraocular, and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
Dosing Regimen Indications Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Heparin 5000 U q8h subcutaneously Abdominal Surgery n=555 23 (4%) n=560 16 (3%) Colorectal Surgery n=673 28 (4%) n=674 21 (3%) Table 3: Major Bleeding Episodes following Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
In the knee replacement surgery trials, intraocular hemorrhages were also considered major hemorrhages.
Dosing Regimen Indications Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 30 mg q12h subcutaneously Heparin 15,000 U/24h subcutaneously Hip Replacement Surgery without Extended Prophylaxis Lovenox 30 mg every 12 hours subcutaneously initiated 12 to 24 hours after surgery and continued for up to 14 days after surgery – n=786 31 (4%) n=541 32 (6%) Hip Replacement Surgery with Extended Prophylaxis – – – Peri-operative Period Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day initiated up to 12 hours prior to surgery and continued for up to 7 days after surgery n=288 4 (2%) – – Extended Prophylaxis Period Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day for up to 21 days after discharge n=221 0 (0%) – – Knee Replacement Surgery without Extended Prophylaxis – n=294 3 (1%) n=225 3 (1%) NOTE: At no time point were the 40 mg once a day pre-operative and the 30 mg every 12 hours postoperative hip replacement surgery prophylactic regimens compared in clinical trials.
Injection site hematomas during the extended prophylaxis period after hip replacement surgery occurred in 9% of the Lovenox patients versus 1.8% of the placebo patients.
Table 4: Major Bleeding Episodes in Medical Patients with Severely Restricted Mobility during Acute Illness Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, (2) if the hemorrhage caused a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major although none were reported during the trial.
Dosing Regimen Indication Lovenox The rates represent major bleeding on study medication up to 24 hours after last dose.
20 mg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Placebo Medical Patients during Acute Illness n=351 1 (<1%) n=360 3 (<1%) n=362 2 (<1%) Table 5: Major Bleeding Episodes in Deep Vein Thrombosis with or without Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal, intraocular, and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
Dosing Regimen All patients also received warfarin sodium (dose-adjusted according to PT to achieve an INR of 2.0 to 3.0) commencing within 72 hours of Lovenox or standard heparin therapy and continuing for up to 90 days.
Indication Lovenox 1.5 mg/kg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy Treatment of DVT and PE n=298 5 (2%) n=559 9 (2%) n=554 9 (2%) Table 6: Major Bleeding Episodes in Unstable Angina and Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Dosing Regimen Indication Lovenox The rates represent major bleeding on study medication up to 12 hours after dose.
1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy Unstable Angina and Non–Q-Wave MI Aspirin therapy was administered concurrently (100 to 325 mg per day).
, Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease by ≥3 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Intraocular, retroperitoneal, and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
n=1578 17 (1%) n=1529 18 (1%) Table 7: Major Bleeding Episodes in Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Dosing Regimen Indication Lovenox The rates represent major bleeding (including ICH) up to 30 days.
Initial 30 mg intravenous bolus followed by 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction n=10176 n (%) n=10151 n (%) Major bleeding (including ICH) Bleedings were considered major if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event associated with a hemoglobin decrease by ≥5 g/dL.
ICH were always considered major.
211 (2.1) 138 (1.4) Intracranial hemorrhages (ICH) 84 (0.8) 66 (0.7) Elevations of Serum Aminotransferases Asymptomatic increases in aspartate (AST [SGOT]) and alanine (ALT [SGPT]) aminotransferase levels greater than three times the upper limit of normal of the laboratory reference range have been reported in up to 6.1% and 5.9% of patients, respectively, during treatment with Lovenox.
Since aminotransferase determinations are important in the differential diagnosis of myocardial infarction, liver disease, and pulmonary emboli, elevations that might be caused by drugs like Lovenox should be interpreted with caution.
Local Reactions Local irritation, pain, hematoma, ecchymosis, and erythema may follow subcutaneous injection of Lovenox.
Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving Lovenox for Prophylaxis or Treatment of DVT, PE Other adverse reactions that were thought to be possibly or probably related to treatment with Lovenox, heparin, or placebo in clinical trials with patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, abdominal or colorectal surgery, or treatment for DVT and that occurred at a rate of at least 2% in the Lovenox group, are provided below (see Tables 8 to 11).
Table 8: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients Undergoing Abdominal or Colorectal Surgery Dosing Regimen Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously n=1228 % Heparin 5000 U q8h subcutaneously n=1234 % Adverse Reaction Severe Total Severe Total Hemorrhage <1 7 <1 6 Anemia <1 3 <1 3 Ecchymosis 0 3 0 3 Table 9: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients Undergoing Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Dosing Regimen Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 30 mg q12h subcutaneously Heparin 15,000 U/24h subcutaneously Placebo q12h subcutaneously Peri-operative Period Extended Prophylaxis Period n=288 Data represent Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day initiated up to 12 hours prior to surgery in 288 hip replacement surgery patients who received Lovenox peri-operatively in an unblinded fashion in one clinical trial.
% n=131 Data represent Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day given in a blinded fashion as extended prophylaxis at the end of the peri-operative period in 131 of the original 288 hip replacement surgery patients for up to 21 days in one clinical trial.
% n=1080 % n=766 % n=115 % Adverse Reaction Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Fever 0 8 0 0 <1 5 <1 4 0 3 Hemorrhage <1 13 0 5 <1 4 1 4 0 3 Nausea - - - <1 3 <1 2 0 2 Anemia 0 16 0 <2 <1 2 2 5 <1 7 Edema - - - - <1 2 <1 2 0 2 Peripheral edema 0 6 0 0 <1 3 <1 4 0 3 Table 10: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Medical Patients with Severely Restricted Mobility during Acute Illness Dosing Regimen Adverse Reaction Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously n=360 % Placebo daily subcutaneously n=362 % Dyspnea 3.3 5.2 Thrombocytopenia 2.8 2.8 Confusion 2.2 1.1 Diarrhea 2.2 1.7 Nausea 2.5 1.7 Table 11: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients Undergoing Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis with or without Pulmonary Embolism Dosing Regimen Lovenox 1.5 mg/kg daily subcutaneously n=298 % Lovenox 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously n=559 % Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy n=544 % Adverse Reaction Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Injection Site Hemorrhage 0 5 0 3 <1 <1 Injection Site Pain 0 2 0 2 0 0 Hematuria 0 2 0 <1 <1 2 Adverse Events in Lovenox-Treated Patients with Unstable Angina or Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Non-hemorrhagic clinical events reported to be related to Lovenox therapy occurred at an incidence of ≤1%.
Non-major hemorrhagic events, primarily injection site ecchymosis and hematomas, were more frequently reported in patients treated with subcutaneous Lovenox than in patients treated with intravenous heparin.
Serious adverse events with Lovenox or heparin in a clinical trial in patients with unstable angina or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction that occurred at a rate of at least 0.5% in the Lovenox group are provided below (see Table 12 ).
Table 12: Serious Adverse Events Occurring at ≥0.5% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients with Unstable Angina or Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Dosing Regimen Lovenox 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy n=1578 n=1529 Adverse Event n (%) n (%) Atrial fibrillation 11 (0.70) 3 (0.20) Heart failure 15 (0.95) 11 (0.72) Lung edema 11 (0.70) 11 (0.72) Pneumonia 13 (0.82) 9 (0.59) Adverse Reactions in Lovenox-Treated Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction In a clinical trial in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, thrombocytopenia occurred at a rate of 1.5%.
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Lovenox.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
There have been reports of epidural or spinal hematoma formation with concurrent use of Lovenox and spinal/epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture.
The majority of patients had a postoperative indwelling epidural catheter placed for analgesia or received additional drugs affecting hemostasis such as NSAIDs.
Many of the epidural or spinal hematomas caused neurologic injury, including long-term or permanent paralysis.
Local reactions at the injection site (e.g.
nodules, inflammation, oozing), systemic allergic reactions (e.g.
pruritus, urticaria , anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions including shock), vesiculobullous rash, cases of hypersensitivity cutaneous vasculitis, purpura, skin necrosis (occurring at either the injection site or distant from the injection site), thrombocytosis, and thrombocytopenia with thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] have been reported.
Cases of hyperkalemia have been reported.
Most of these reports occurred in patients who also had conditions that tend toward the development of hyperkalemia (e.g., renal dysfunction, concomitant potassium-sparing drugs, administration of potassium, hematoma in body tissues).
Very rare cases of hyperlipidemia have also been reported, with one case of hyperlipidemia, with marked hypertriglyceridemia, reported in a diabetic pregnant woman; causality has not been determined.
Cases of headache, hemorrhagic anemia, eosinophilia, alopecia, hepatocellular and cholestatic liver injury have been reported.
Osteoporosis has also been reported following long-term therapy.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
During clinical development for the approved indications, 15,918 patients were exposed to Lovenox.
These included 1,228 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis following abdominal surgery in patients at risk for thromboembolic complications, 1,368 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis following hip or knee replacement surgery, 711 for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness, 1,578 for prophylaxis of ischemic complications in unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction, 10,176 for treatment of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and 857 for treatment of deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism.
Lovenox doses in the clinical trials for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis following abdominal or hip or knee replacement surgery or in medical patients with severely restricted mobility during acute illness ranged from 40 mg subcutaneously once daily to 30 mg subcutaneously twice daily.
In the clinical studies for prophylaxis of ischemic complications of unstable angina and non–Q-wave myocardial infarction doses were 1 mg/kg every 12 hours and in the clinical studies for treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction Lovenox doses were a 30 mg intravenous bolus followed by 1 mg/kg every 12 hours subcutaneously.
Hemorrhage The following rates of major bleeding events have been reported during clinical trials with Lovenox (see Tables 2 to 7).
Table 2: Major Bleeding Episodes following Abdominal and Colorectal Surgery Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal, intraocular, and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
Dosing Regimen Indications Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Heparin 5000 U q8h subcutaneously Abdominal Surgery n=555 23 (4%) n=560 16 (3%) Colorectal Surgery n=673 28 (4%) n=674 21 (3%) Table 3: Major Bleeding Episodes following Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
In the knee replacement surgery trials, intraocular hemorrhages were also considered major hemorrhages.
Dosing Regimen Indications Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 30 mg q12h subcutaneously Heparin 15,000 U/24h subcutaneously Hip Replacement Surgery without Extended Prophylaxis Lovenox 30 mg every 12 hours subcutaneously initiated 12 to 24 hours after surgery and continued for up to 14 days after surgery – n=786 31 (4%) n=541 32 (6%) Hip Replacement Surgery with Extended Prophylaxis – – – Peri-operative Period Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day initiated up to 12 hours prior to surgery and continued for up to 7 days after surgery n=288 4 (2%) – – Extended Prophylaxis Period Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day for up to 21 days after discharge n=221 0 (0%) – – Knee Replacement Surgery without Extended Prophylaxis – n=294 3 (1%) n=225 3 (1%) NOTE: At no time point were the 40 mg once a day pre-operative and the 30 mg every 12 hours postoperative hip replacement surgery prophylactic regimens compared in clinical trials.
Injection site hematomas during the extended prophylaxis period after hip replacement surgery occurred in 9% of the Lovenox patients versus 1.8% of the placebo patients.
Table 4: Major Bleeding Episodes in Medical Patients with Severely Restricted Mobility during Acute Illness Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, (2) if the hemorrhage caused a decrease in hemoglobin of ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major although none were reported during the trial.
Dosing Regimen Indication Lovenox The rates represent major bleeding on study medication up to 24 hours after last dose.
20 mg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Placebo Medical Patients during Acute Illness n=351 1 (<1%) n=360 3 (<1%) n=362 2 (<1%) Table 5: Major Bleeding Episodes in Deep Vein Thrombosis with or without Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease ≥2 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Retroperitoneal, intraocular, and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
Dosing Regimen All patients also received warfarin sodium (dose-adjusted according to PT to achieve an INR of 2.0 to 3.0) commencing within 72 hours of Lovenox or standard heparin therapy and continuing for up to 90 days.
Indication Lovenox 1.5 mg/kg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy Treatment of DVT and PE n=298 5 (2%) n=559 9 (2%) n=554 9 (2%) Table 6: Major Bleeding Episodes in Unstable Angina and Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Dosing Regimen Indication Lovenox The rates represent major bleeding on study medication up to 12 hours after dose.
1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy Unstable Angina and Non–Q-Wave MI Aspirin therapy was administered concurrently (100 to 325 mg per day).
, Bleeding complications were considered major: (1) if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event, or (2) if accompanied by a hemoglobin decrease by ≥3 g/dL or transfusion of 2 or more units of blood products.
Intraocular, retroperitoneal, and intracranial hemorrhages were always considered major.
n=1578 17 (1%) n=1529 18 (1%) Table 7: Major Bleeding Episodes in Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Dosing Regimen Indication Lovenox The rates represent major bleeding (including ICH) up to 30 days.
Initial 30 mg intravenous bolus followed by 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction n=10176 n (%) n=10151 n (%) Major bleeding (including ICH) Bleedings were considered major if the hemorrhage caused a significant clinical event associated with a hemoglobin decrease by ≥5 g/dL.
ICH were always considered major.
211 (2.1) 138 (1.4) Intracranial hemorrhages (ICH) 84 (0.8) 66 (0.7) Elevations of Serum Aminotransferases Asymptomatic increases in aspartate (AST [SGOT]) and alanine (ALT [SGPT]) aminotransferase levels greater than three times the upper limit of normal of the laboratory reference range have been reported in up to 6.1% and 5.9% of patients, respectively, during treatment with Lovenox.
Since aminotransferase determinations are important in the differential diagnosis of myocardial infarction, liver disease, and pulmonary emboli, elevations that might be caused by drugs like Lovenox should be interpreted with caution.
Local Reactions Local irritation, pain, hematoma, ecchymosis, and erythema may follow subcutaneous injection of Lovenox.
Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving Lovenox for Prophylaxis or Treatment of DVT, PE Other adverse reactions that were thought to be possibly or probably related to treatment with Lovenox, heparin, or placebo in clinical trials with patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, abdominal or colorectal surgery, or treatment for DVT and that occurred at a rate of at least 2% in the Lovenox group, are provided below (see Tables 8 to 11).
Table 8: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients Undergoing Abdominal or Colorectal Surgery Dosing Regimen Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously n=1228 % Heparin 5000 U q8h subcutaneously n=1234 % Adverse Reaction Severe Total Severe Total Hemorrhage <1 7 <1 6 Anemia <1 3 <1 3 Ecchymosis 0 3 0 3 Table 9: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients Undergoing Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Dosing Regimen Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously Lovenox 30 mg q12h subcutaneously Heparin 15,000 U/24h subcutaneously Placebo q12h subcutaneously Peri-operative Period Extended Prophylaxis Period n=288 Data represent Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day initiated up to 12 hours prior to surgery in 288 hip replacement surgery patients who received Lovenox peri-operatively in an unblinded fashion in one clinical trial.
% n=131 Data represent Lovenox 40 mg subcutaneously once a day given in a blinded fashion as extended prophylaxis at the end of the peri-operative period in 131 of the original 288 hip replacement surgery patients for up to 21 days in one clinical trial.
% n=1080 % n=766 % n=115 % Adverse Reaction Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Fever 0 8 0 0 <1 5 <1 4 0 3 Hemorrhage <1 13 0 5 <1 4 1 4 0 3 Nausea - - - <1 3 <1 2 0 2 Anemia 0 16 0 <2 <1 2 2 5 <1 7 Edema - - - - <1 2 <1 2 0 2 Peripheral edema 0 6 0 0 <1 3 <1 4 0 3 Table 10: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Medical Patients with Severely Restricted Mobility during Acute Illness Dosing Regimen Adverse Reaction Lovenox 40 mg daily subcutaneously n=360 % Placebo daily subcutaneously n=362 % Dyspnea 3.3 5.2 Thrombocytopenia 2.8 2.8 Confusion 2.2 1.1 Diarrhea 2.2 1.7 Nausea 2.5 1.7 Table 11: Adverse Reactions Occurring at ≥2% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients Undergoing Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis with or without Pulmonary Embolism Dosing Regimen Lovenox 1.5 mg/kg daily subcutaneously n=298 % Lovenox 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously n=559 % Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy n=544 % Adverse Reaction Severe Total Severe Total Severe Total Injection Site Hemorrhage 0 5 0 3 <1 <1 Injection Site Pain 0 2 0 2 0 0 Hematuria 0 2 0 <1 <1 2 Adverse Events in Lovenox-Treated Patients with Unstable Angina or Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Non-hemorrhagic clinical events reported to be related to Lovenox therapy occurred at an incidence of ≤1%.
Non-major hemorrhagic events, primarily injection site ecchymosis and hematomas, were more frequently reported in patients treated with subcutaneous Lovenox than in patients treated with intravenous heparin.
Serious adverse events with Lovenox or heparin in a clinical trial in patients with unstable angina or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction that occurred at a rate of at least 0.5% in the Lovenox group are provided below (see Table 12 ).
Table 12: Serious Adverse Events Occurring at ≥0.5% Incidence in Lovenox-Treated Patients with Unstable Angina or Non–Q-Wave Myocardial Infarction Dosing Regimen Lovenox 1 mg/kg q12h subcutaneously Heparin aPTT Adjusted Intravenous Therapy n=1578 n=1529 Adverse Event n (%) n (%) Atrial fibrillation 11 (0.70) 3 (0.20) Heart failure 15 (0.95) 11 (0.72) Lung edema 11 (0.70) 11 (0.72) Pneumonia 13 (0.82) 9 (0.59) Adverse Reactions in Lovenox-Treated Patients with Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction In a clinical trial in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, thrombocytopenia occurred at a rate of 1.5%.
6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of Lovenox.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
There have been reports of epidural or spinal hematoma formation with concurrent use of Lovenox and spinal/epidural anesthesia or spinal puncture.
The majority of patients had a postoperative indwelling epidural catheter placed for analgesia or received additional drugs affecting hemostasis such as NSAIDs.
Many of the epidural or spinal hematomas caused neurologic injury, including long-term or permanent paralysis.
Local reactions at the injection site (e.g.
nodules, inflammation, oozing), systemic allergic reactions (e.g.
pruritus, urticaria , anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions including shock), vesiculobullous rash, cases of hypersensitivity cutaneous vasculitis, purpura, skin necrosis (occurring at either the injection site or distant from the injection site), thrombocytosis, and thrombocytopenia with thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] have been reported.
Cases of hyperkalemia have been reported.
Most of these reports occurred in patients who also had conditions that tend toward the development of hyperkalemia (e.g., renal dysfunction, concomitant potassium-sparing drugs, administration of potassium, hematoma in body tissues).
Very rare cases of hyperlipidemia have also been reported, with one case of hyperlipidemia, with marked hypertriglyceridemia, reported in a diabetic pregnant woman; causality has not been determined.
Cases of headache, hemorrhagic anemia, eosinophilia, alopecia, hepatocellular and cholestatic liver injury have been reported.
Osteoporosis has also been reported following long-term therapy.