How to Inject Lovenox (Plus 4 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Successful Injections)

Lovenox (enoxaparin) is a blood thinner medication that treats and prevents unwanted blood clots. It works quickly and doesn’t require you to follow a special diet or go for regular blood tests. But it’s available only as an injection.

If you’re feeling uneasy about giving yourself a shot, we’re here to help. Below, you’ll find five tips on how to inject Lovenox, including step-by-step guidance.

1. Where to inject Lovenox

Lovenox is injected subcutaneously (under the skin). You can inject it into the skin on either side of your abdomen (stomach area). But be sure to stay at least 2 inches away from your belly button.

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It’s also important to avoid giving yourself an injection in the same spot as previous injections. Alternate your Lovenox injection sites between the left and right sides of your abdomen for each dose. And don’t inject Lovenox into skin that looks bruised or has scars.

2. How to inject Lovenox

There are a few main steps to follow when injecting Lovenox. A healthcare professional should show you how to administer your doses when you first start using it.

The instructions below are for Lovenox prefilled syringes. These syringes already contain Lovenox inside and are designed for one use only.

Less commonly, Lovenox also comes as a multiple-dose vial. To inject from vials, you’ll need to purchase syringes too. Be sure to get clear instructions on how to draw up Lovenox from the vial into a syringe. The process is different from what’s described here.

Gather your supplies

Before injecting Lovenox, gather all your supplies. You’ll need one of each of the following:

• A Lovenox prefilled syringe

• An alcohol wipe

• A cotton ball or gauze pad

• An FDA-cleared sharps disposal container (or a suitable alternative)

• A small adhesive bandage

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How does Lovenox work? Pharmacists explain Lovenox’s mechanism of action and how it helps treat and prevent unwanted blood clots.

• Knowing what to expect: Read about Lovenox’s potential side effects — from bleeding to injection pain — and how to manage them.

• Are Lovenox doses based on body weight? Sometimes. Your Lovenox dosage depends on why you’re using it.

Clean the injection site

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If you don’t have access to soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Use an alcohol pad to clean your selected Lovenox injection site. Let your skin air-dry. Don’t blow on your skin to help it dry faster. This can introduce bacteria or other germs to the area you just cleaned with alcohol.

Prepare your dose

Lovenox syringes are prefilled and contain 1 full dose of medication. To prepare your dose:

• Peel open the package, and remove the Lovenox syringe.

• Inspect the syringe. Double-check the dose and expiration date, and make sure the medicine inside is clear or pale yellow. Don’t use the syringe if the liquid is discolored or cloudy or contains particles.

• Don’t remove air bubbles from the syringe (more on this later).

• Carefully remove the needle cap by pulling it straight off the syringe.

It’s possible your Lovenox dose may be less than the amount of medication in the prefilled syringe. If so, you’ll need to get rid of some of the medication before injecting. Follow these additional steps to prepare a lower dose:

• Identify the number on the syringe barrel that marks the dose you’ve been prescribed.

• After the needle cap is removed, hold your syringe with the needle pointing down and away from you and other people.

• Carefully push the plunger into the syringe barrel until the tip of the plunger is lined up with the number for your prescribed dose.

Inject your dose

Now it’s time to inject your Lovenox dose:

• Gently pinch your cleaned abdominal skin between your finger and thumb. You’ll need to hold it like this during the entire injection.

• Insert the full length of the needle into the pinched skin at a 90-degree angle.

• Slowly and steadily push down the plunger until the Lovenox syringe is empty.

• Remove the needle from your skin by pulling it straight out.

You can use a cotton ball or gauze pad to gently dab any bleeding at the injection site. But avoid rubbing the area, since this can cause bruising. If needed, a small adhesive bandage can be used.

Dispose of the syringe

Don’t try to put the needle cap back on after your injection. Your Lovenox syringe comes with a disposal safety shield. It can be activated once the syringe is empty and the needle is removed from your skin.

• After the injection is removed from your skin, point it away from yourself and others.

• Firmly push down on the plunger until you hear a click.

• A protective sleeve will be released to cover the needle.

• Place your Lovenox syringe and needle cap in a disposal container.

Used Lovenox syringes shouldn’t be thrown away in your regular household trash. An FDA-cleared sharps container is ideal to use for discarding needles and syringes. But a heavy-duty plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle, is an acceptable alternative. The FDA provides additional information on how to safely dispose of syringes.

3. Do not remove air bubbles from Lovenox prefilled syringes

You might have noticed small air bubbles in your Lovenox syringe. This is normal, and you shouldn’t try to remove them. It may look concerning, but the amount of air in prefilled syringes is typically very small. It’s not considered dangerous, and it may help push the full dose out of the syringe and into your body.

But this advice doesn’t apply if you’re using a Lovenox vial and regular syringes. Air bubbles drawn into a regular syringe are typically larger than the ones in prefilled syringes. Those should be removed before injecting your dose. A healthcare professional should show you how to do this before you start injecting Lovenox from a vial on your own.

4. How to reduce pain when injecting Lovenox

Injection site reactions are a common Lovenox side effect. This can include pain, bruising, or bleeding where you injected Lovenox. But there are some things you can do to help minimize this side effect.

It’s important to rotate Lovenox injection sites. Alternate between the left and right sides of your abdomen. And don’t inject in the same spot as previous injections. It’s also good to avoid injecting into skin that looks irritated or bruised. Applying a warm or cold compress after injecting may also help.

5. Store Lovenox at room temperature

Lovenox is available in prefilled syringes and as a multiple-dose vial. Each prefilled syringe dose has a different colored label to make it easier to identify your dose. All Lovenox formulations should be stored at room temperature (59°F to 86°F).

Unopened Lovenox syringes and vials are good at room temperature until their listed expiration date. But the expiration date for Lovenox multiuse vials changes once they’re opened. Lovenox vials expire 28 days after first use.

How to save on Lovenox

There are ways to save on the cost of Lovenox, which is available as both a brand-name and a generic medication.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price of the generic version. The price of generic Lovenox at certain pharmacies is as low as $91.02 for 12 syringes of the 40 mg/0.4 mg dose with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for brand-name Lovenox’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

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Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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