Lovenox Treatment & Pregnancy

Lovenox, the brand name version of enoxaparin sodium, is an anticoagulant. It breaks down blood clots and prevents clots from forming. Sometimes, Lovenox is administered to pregnant women to prevent miscarriages and other complications. Like any drug, especially those taken during pregnancy, Lovenox should be considered carefully.

Likely Candidates

• Women who have suffered from multiple miscarriages, pre-term births and known clotting disorders are usual candidates for Lovenox during pregnancy.

Dosing

• For most pregnant patients, Lovenox is administered in a prophylactic dose, which is lower than what might be required by nonpregnant patients.

Administration

• Lovenox is typically self-administered by pregnant patients beginning in very early pregnancy. It is recommended that treatment be stopped or doses adjusted in late pregnancy to prevent excessive bleeding during labor.

Maternal Risks

• In addition to the potential for excessive bleeding, Lovenox can cause bruising at the injection site (usually the abdomen) and the possibility of allergic reactions.

Fetal Risks

• Although there have been concerns about birth defects of babies born to mothers who used Lovenox, the FDA classifies it as a Category B drug, which means that it is safe to use during pregnancy.

Future Studies

• Future studies are needed to better understand how much Lovenox is best and when patients should begin using the drug. As reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Randy S. Morris notes, "Until further studies are performed, we can only guess as to the correct answers."