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In Poland, nearly 60 patients suffer from thrombosis every year. people. On the other hand, its most dangerous complication – pulmonary embolism, is diagnosed by over 30 patients every year. people. Pulmonary embolism is a disease that can cause complications that are dangerous to your health. To prevent the disease, specific drugs are used, such as Clexane. What is this preparation? What does the leaflet indicate? Here is some information.
Clexane – what is this drug?
Clexane (we read – kleksan) is a drug in the form of a pre-filled syringe containing enoxaparin sodium. The preparation prevents the spread of already existing blood clots and supports the process of their dissolution. It also stops your blood from forming any more clots. Clexane is a prescription drug available in dosages: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 300 mg.
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Clexane – indications for use
The active substance of the preparation is enoxaparin sodium, i.e. low molecular weight heparin with anticoagulant activity. The indication for its use is the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing surgery, patients with acute heart failure and respiratory failure, and with severe infections. It is also used, inter alia, in to prevent blood clots during hemodialysis.
Clexane Syringes are also used to treat deep vein thrombosis with or without complications from pulmonary embolism. It helps in the treatment of unstable angina and non-Q wave myocardial infarction, and in the treatment of recent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. It is used during treatments in which patients are treated conservatively.
Clexane – dosage
Please consult your doctor before using Clexane. It is equally important to read the leaflet attached to the preparation. For the prevention of venous thromboembolism, the recommended dose of enoxaparin is 20 mg subcutaneously once daily – treatment duration is 7 to 10 days. This dose is especially administered to patients undergoing orthopedic and oncological surgery and general surgery.
For the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients immobilized as a result of acute illnesses, exacerbations of rheumatic diseases that immobilize the patient, acute heart failure and acute respiratory failure, 40 mg of enoxaparin are administered subcutaneously once a day. In this case, the entire treatment lasts from 6 to a maximum of 14 days. Administration of the preparation is sometimes advisable until the patient is fully activated.
For the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (complicated or uncomplicated pulmonary embolism), the drug is administered at a dose of 1,5 mg per 1 kg of body weight (once a day) or 1 mg per 1 kg of body weight. This type of treatment lasts no less than 5 days, usually until anticoagulant efficacy is achieved. The use of oral anticoagulants should be initiated when it is an appropriate method of treatment in an individual case.
The recommended dose of enoxaparin in the treatment of acute STEMI is 30 mg given as one injection into a vein. After intravenous injection, 1 mg of the substance per 1 kg of body weight is administered subcutaneously, and then 12 mg of the substance per 1 kg of body weight every 1 hours. However, it is worth knowing that the dose depends on various factors, e.g. age – this is especially important for people over 75 years of age.
The amount of dose administered to a patient also depends on the nature of the condition. People over 75 years of age who are undergoing treatment for a recent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction cannot receive the product as a rapid injection into a vein. The suggested dose of the drug that can be given to seniors starts at 0,75 mg per kilogram of body weight.
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What are the symptoms of an overdose of Clexane?
Haemorrhagic complications have been reported in people who have accidentally overdosed on enoxaparin. These effects can occur both after intravenous administration as well as extracorporeal or subcutaneous administration. Oral intake of high doses of enoxaparin should not cause serious health consequences, due to the malabsorption of the substance in this form.
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What side effects does Clexane cause?
Side effects caused by Clexane are headache and disorders of the immune system. There have also been cases of intramedullary hematomas and hematomas within the spinal canal when the patient was receiving both enoxaparin and spinal anesthesia or spinal puncture. Other side effects have been disorders of the blood and lymphatic system, skin, subcutaneous tissue, liver and bile ducts – however reports including this information have been prepared spontaneously.
There is no information to conclude that drinking alcohol during treatment with the drug is harmful. There is also no information about interactions. Therefore, people taking the drug should consult a specialist before drinking alcohol. Clexane Syringes can be used by pregnant women, but only if the doctor deems it necessary – the drug contains benzyl alcohol that penetrates the placenta.
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How should Clexane be served?
Clexane does not come in the form of tablets. It can be injected subcutaneously, injected intravenously rapidly, and injected into the arterial lines of the extracorporeal circulation. The first method is used i.a. for the prevention of venous thromboembolism; the second method – when treating a recent myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation; the third method – to prevent the formation of extracorporeal clots that may form during hemodialysis.
The preparation is easiest to inject when the person is lying down. Subcutaneous injections should be deep – the needle should be inserted vertically into the skin fold and not released until all the substance has been introduced into the body. Leave the injection site intact and do not rub it immediately after surgery. Used pre-filled syringes cannot end up in an ordinary rubbish bin, but in special containers, both in pharmacies and hospitals.
What are the contraindications to the use of Clexane?
The drug should not be taken by people who are hypersensitive to enoxaparin sodium, heparin and its derivatives. Other contraindications are severe coagulation disorders, acute bacterial endocarditis, major bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, duodenal disease, stroke but not caused by embolism, and an increased risk of embolism.