Key takeaways
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) and fondaparinux (Arixtra) are both blood thinners used to prevent and treat blood clots, but they have some key differences. Enoxaparin is a type of low-molecular-weight heparin, while fondaparinux is a lab-made version of a part of heparin. If you have a heparin allergy, you can use fondaparinux but not enoxaparin. Enoxaparin is typically injected once or twice a day, whereas fondaparinux is usually injected once a day. Additionally, enoxaparin is safe for use during pregnancy except for those with prosthetic heart valves, while fondaparinux isn’t recommended for people who weigh less than 110 lbs or have severe kidney problems. Both medications can cause bleeding, but a serious bleed may be harder to manage with fondaparinux since it doesn’t have a specific antidote.
