Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

A nurse or other trained health professional will usually give you this medicine in the hospital. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin or into a vein.

It may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to prepare and inject the medicine. Be sure that you understand exactly how to use the medicine.

If you use this medicine at home, 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.

Do not inject into skin areas that are bruised or have scars.

Check the liquid in the vial or prefilled syringe. It should be clear and colorless or pale yellow. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or if you see particles in 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:
    • 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 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin every 12 hours together with aspirin 100 to 325 mg once a day for 2 to 8 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (abdominal or stomach surgery):
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a day for 7 to 10 days. The first dose should be given 2 hours before the surgery.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (hip or knee replacement surgery):
      • Adults—30 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days. Alternatively, for hip replacement surgery, the dose may be 40 mg injected under the skin once a day for 3 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For prevention of deep venous thrombosis (in patients with a serious illness):
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) injected under the skin once a day for 6 to 11 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours injected under the skin for 7 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of certain type of acute heart attack
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the dose is usually 30 milligrams (mg) injected into your vein and 1 milligram (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight injected under the skin followed by 1 mg per kg every 12 hours injected under the skin for 8 days. Aspirin 75 to 325 mg orally once a day may also be given.
      • Older adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. However, the starting dose is 0.75 mg per kg of body weight injected under the skin every 12 hours for 8 days. Aspirin 75 to 325 mg orally once a day may also be given.
      • 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 28 days after the first shot. Throw away the unused medicine in the bottle after 28 days.

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

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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