Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin (usually in the stomach, buttocks, or thighs). You or your caregiver may be trained to prepare and inject the medicine at home. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.

If the medicine in the vial (glass container) or prefilled syringe has changed color, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (solution):
    • For prevention of blood clots after unstable angina (chest pain) or non–Q-wave myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack):
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 120 international units (IU) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin (but not more than 10,000 IU) given every 12 hours for 5 to 8 days. Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, aspirin should be given 75 to 165 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis after abdominal surgery:
      • Adults—2,500 or 5,000 international units (IU) injected under the skin once a day, or 2,500 IU injected under the skin followed by 2,500 IU injected under the skin given 12 hours later and then 5,000 IU injected under the skin once a day for 5 to 10 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis after hip replacement surgery:
      • Adults—
        • If started the evening before surgery: 5,000 international units (IU) injected under the skin 10 to 14 hours before surgery followed by 5,000 IU injected under the skin 4 to 8 hours after surgery, then 5,000 IU injected under the skin once a day.
        • If started on the day of surgery: 2,500 IU injected under the skin within 2 hours before surgery followed by 2,500 IU injected under the skin 4 to 8 hours after surgery, then 5,000 IU injected under the skin once a day.
        • If started after surgery: 2,500 IU injected under the skin given 4 to 8 hours after surgery, then 5,000 IU injected under the skin once a day, given 5 to 10 days after surgery.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis in medical patients with acute illness:
      • Adults—5,000 international units (IU) injected under the skin once a day for 12 to 14 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For symptomatic deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in children:
      • Children 8 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 100 internation units (IU) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin 2 times a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children 2 to 7 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 125 IU per kg of body weight injected under the skin 2 times a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children 4 weeks to 1 year of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. At first, 100 IU per kg of body weight injected under the skin 2 times a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children younger than 4 weeks of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For symptomatic deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with cancer:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. On the first 30 days, 200 international units (IU) per kilogram (kg) of total body weight injected under the skin (but not more than 18,000 IU) once a day. On months 2 to 6, 150 IU per kg of body weight injected under the skin once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

If you were given a bottle of medicine to use with your syringes, you must use the medicine within 14 days after the first shot. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.