ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Low Molecular Weight Heparin Pregnancy: B

Enoxaparin (Vascular)

Brand names: Clexane

Adult dose

Dose: Therapeutic: 1.5 mg/kg once daily or 1 mg/kg twice daily SC; Prophylactic: 40 mg once daily SC
Route: subcutaneous injection
Frequency: once or twice daily (therapeutic); once daily (prophylactic)
Max: 1.5 mg/kg/day (therapeutic)
Preferred over UFH for most VTE indications; syringe pre-filled; do NOT expel air bubble before injection

Paediatric dose

Dose: 1.5 mg/kg
Route: subcutaneous
Frequency: once daily (therapeutic); 0.5 mg/kg BD for neonates
Max: 1.5 mg/kg/day
Concentration: 100 mg/mL or 150 mg/mL prefilled syringes mg/ml
Neonates: 1.5 mg/kg BD; 2 months–18 years: 1 mg/kg BD; anti-Xa target: 0.5–1.0 units/mL (4h post-dose)

Dose adjustments

Renal

Reduce to 1 mg/kg once daily if eGFR <30 ml/min; anti-Xa monitoring required

Hepatic

Use with caution in severe hepatic impairment

Paediatric weight-based calculator

Neonates: 1.5 mg/kg BD; 2 months–18 years: 1 mg/kg BD; anti-Xa target: 0.5–1.0 units/mL (4h post-dose)

Clinical pearls

  • Anti-Xa monitoring NOT routinely required for standard doses — measure 4h post-dose in renal impairment, extreme weights, pregnancy
  • HIT: drop in platelets >50% or to <100 × 10⁹/L after heparin exposure — switch to argatroban/danaparoid
  • Protamine only partially reverses LMWH (neutralises anti-IIa activity completely but only ~60% anti-Xa)

Contraindications

  • Active major bleeding
  • History of HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia)
  • Recent haemorrhagic stroke
  • Spinal anaesthesia/lumbar puncture with therapeutic doses

Side effects

  • Bleeding
  • Bruising at injection site
  • HIT (1–5% — less than UFH)
  • Hyperkalaemia (long-term)
  • Osteoporosis (long-term)

Interactions

  • NSAIDs/antiplatelets (increased bleeding)
  • Thrombolytics (enhanced)
  • Warfarin/DOACs (additive effect)

Monitoring

  • FBC (platelets)
  • Anti-Xa if renal impairment/extremes of weight/pregnancy
  • Signs of bleeding

Reference: BNFc; BNF 86; BCSH guidelines; NICE NG158. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.