What is the dose of Lovenox (enoxaparin) for pulmonary embolism?

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From the Guidelines

For pulmonary embolism treatment, Lovenox (enoxaparin) is typically administered at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously every 12 hours or 1.5 mg/kg once daily. The dosing regimen for Lovenox is based on the patient's body weight, with two possible administration schedules 1. The options for dosing are as follows:

  • 1.0 mg/kg every 12 hours
  • 1.5 mg/kg once daily It is essential to accurately measure the patient's body weight to ensure proper dosing 1. Treatment with Lovenox usually continues for at least 5 days and until adequate oral anticoagulation with other medications is established. Patients should be monitored for signs of bleeding, and concurrent use of other anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications requires careful consideration 1. Proper injection technique is crucial, with administration into the anterolateral or posterolateral abdominal wall while the patient is sitting or lying down. In some cases, such as patients with cancer, other low molecular-weight heparins like Dalteparin may be used for extended treatment 1. However, for Lovenox, the recommended dosing regimens of 1.0 mg/kg every 12 hours or 1.5 mg/kg once daily are the standard for pulmonary embolism treatment 1.

From the Research

Dose of Lovenox for Pulmonary Embolism

  • The dose of Lovenox (enoxaparin) for pulmonary embolism is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but the following information can be inferred:

Enoxaparin Dosing Regimens

  • A study published in 2003 2 used enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days during the acute phase, followed by 1.0 mg/kg or 1.5 mg/kg once daily during the chronic phase.
  • A study published in 2016 3 compared once daily (1.5 mg/kg) and twice daily (1 mg/kg) enoxaparin dosing regimens for acute pulmonary embolism in cancer patients.
  • A study published in 2005 4 used enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice daily for 10-18 days, and then 1.5 mg/kg once daily until day 90.

Clinical Considerations

  • The choice of enoxaparin dosing regimen may depend on individual patient factors, such as renal function and body weight 5.
  • The decision to extend anticoagulation should consider both the individual risk of pulmonary embolism recurrence and the individual risk of bleeding 5.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Once daily versus twice daily enoxaparin for acute pulmonary embolism in cancer patients.

Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners, 2016

Research

[Antithrombotic Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism].

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946), 2020

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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