Dosage form
Clexane® is administered depending on the indication: Clexane® must not be injected into the muscles (i.m., intramuscularly). – Thrombosis prophylaxis = subcutaneous injection (into subcutaneous fatty tissue)
- Thrombosis therapy = subcutaneous injection
- Non-suspension infarction (NSTEMI) /instable angina pectoris = subcutaneous injection
- Elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) = first intravenous bolus administration, then subcutaneous injection
- Dialysis = injection into arterial leg of the dialysis circuit
Dosage
Clexane® is available as a ready-to-use syringe in the dosages 20 and 40 mg. The individual dose is usually determined for the patient based on body weight. A distinction is made between therapeutic and prophylactic dosages when using Clexane®.
The dose must still be adjusted in case of existing, more severe kidney dysfunction. For peri- and post-operative thrombosis prophylaxis, a daily injection of 20 mg Clexane® is usually given. If there is a higher risk of thrombosis, 40 mg Clexane® can be administered daily by surgery.
Patients who are to receive thrombosis prophylaxis due to a higher risk of thrombosis, an internal medical condition or immobility also regularly receive 40 mg Clexane® daily. The therapeutic dosage of Clexane® is determined by the patient’s body weight. The dose is determined twice daily according to the 1 mg per kilogram body weight scheme.
A patient weighing 70 kg would therefore need 70 mg Clexane® twice daily. Alternatively, a dosage scheme of 1.5 mg per kilogram body weight once daily is possible if there are no other risk factors for thrombosis. Typical indications for a therapeutic dosage of Clexane® are pulmonary embolism, phlebothrombosis, mechanical heart valve replacement and thromboembolism prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.
The drug “Clexane® 20” contains 20 mg of the active ingredient enoxaparin per ready-to-use syringe. This is a low-molecular-weight heparin which is frequently used for the prophylaxis of thromboses. Clexane® is the preferred choice in everyday clinical practice because of its good tolerability and low risk of side effects and serious complications.
In surgical procedures that are not associated with a particularly increased risk of thrombosis (e.g. in general surgery), Clexane® 20 is the preferred dosage for peri- and post-operative thrombosis prophylaxis. The patient receives an injection once a day, usually in the abdominal fat or thigh – but never in the muscle – which is generally well tolerated. Clexane® 20 is also used to prevent thrombosis during dialysis.
Clexane® 20 is also popular during pregnancy because of its good tolerability. The general side effects and contraindications as well as interactions of enoxaparin apply with regard to Clexane® 20. Click here for Clexane® in pregnancy.
The drug Clexane® 40 contains 40 mg of the active ingredient enoxaparin. It is used for the prophylaxis of thrombosis during and after surgery in patients with a high risk of thrombosis. This is common in orthopaedic surgery, for example.
In this case Clexane® 40 is injected once a day. Clexane® 40 is also used for the prophylaxis of venous thrombosis in non-operated patients with a medium or high risk of thrombosis. These are, for example, patients who have severe heart failure or infection and are bedridden due to their illness. Like Clexane® 20, Clexane® 40 is also used for the prophylaxis of thrombosis during dialysis. The general information on side effects, contraindications and interactions known for the active substance enoxaparin also applies to Clexane® 40.
