Lovenox is the brand name of the generic enoxaparin, a prescription drug injected under certain circumstances to prevent the possibility of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). DVTs are blood clots that can form in your legs, then travel to your lungs, where they can cause a pulmonary embolism, the Mayo Clinic states. Lovenox generally is administered following knee or hip replacements. It also may be given if you have surgery that makes it difficult to walk for a time, such as procedures in the abdomen. The drug does have some side effects.
Bleeding
The most common side effect of the Lovenox injection is non-specific bleeding. You may, for example, get nosebleeds or you may get menstrual flow increases or bleeding from the vagina when you are not menstruating. You also may have a cough that produces blood. If you get a cut or other wound, you may bleed longer from it that normal. Blood also may show up in your feces or urine. In the case of feces, you may produce tar-like black or red. Urine may be dark brown or red. Less-common such side effects include easy bruising, which is blood welling up under the skin. You also may get oozing or bleeding from your mouth, nose or an incision. There also is the potential for vomiting coffee-grounds-like material or blood. These all are serious side effects and you should tell your doctor immediately about any of them.
Breathing
Lovenox can cause some problems with your breathing, too. You may find yourself with shortness of breath or have other difficulties breathing. These are relatively common side effects of Lovenox, the Mayo Clinic notes, and are serious. Less common is discomfort in your chest or tightness in your chest. You also may experience a high-pitched noise resembling a whistle when you exhale, called wheezing. Consult a doctor about these side effects.
Other Side Effects
Other side effects classified as more common by the Mayo Clinic include the very serious condition of bodily paralysis. Less-common serious side effects also include mental confusion, seizures, a fever, foot or hand swelling, lightheadedness and irritability. These are serious side effects. Some side effects are not considered serious and only generally occur when you first are injected with Lovenox, but then go away. These include redness, pain or irritation at the injection site and diarrhea.
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