CLEXANE 2,000 IU

3. Stopping clot formation when you have unstable angina, or after you have had a heart attack
   • Clexane can be used for 2 different types of heart attacks.
   • The amount of Clexane you are given will depend on your age and the type of heart attack you have had.

 

NSTEMI-type heart attack (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction):

• The usual dose is 100 IU (1 mg) per kilogram of body weight every 12 hours.
• Your doctor will usually tell you to also take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
• Your doctor will decide how long you will receive Clexane.

 

STEMI-type heart attack (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) if you are younger than 75:

• You will be given an initial intravenous injection of 3,000 IU (30 mg) of Clexane.
• At the same time, you will be given an injection of Clexane under the skin (subcutaneous injection). The usual dose is 100 IU (1 mg) per kilogram of body weight, every 12 hours.
• Your doctor will usually tell you to also take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
• Your doctor will decide how long you will receive Clexane.

 

STEMI-type heart attack if you are 75 years of age or older:

• The usual dose is 75 IU (0.75 mg) per kilogram of body weight, every 12 hours.
• The maximum amount of Clexane administered in the first two injections is 7,500 IU (75 mg).
• Your doctor will decide how long you will receive Clexane.

 

For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI):

• Depending on when your last Clexane injection was given, your doctor may decide to give you an additional dose of Clexane before PCI. It would be by injection into a vein.

 

4. Stopping the formation of blood clots in the tubes of the dialysis machine

• The usual dose is 100 IU (1 mg) per kilogram of body weight.
• Clexane is added to the tube leading out of the body (arterial line) at the beginning of a dialysis session. This amount is usually enough for a 4-hour session. However, your doctor may give you a further injection of 50 IU to 100 IU (0.5 to 1 mg) per kilogram of body weight, if necessary.

 

If you are going to inject Clexane 2,000 IU yourself

If you can give yourself Clexane, your doctor or nurse will show you how to do it. Do not try to inject yourself if you have not been taught how to do so. If you are not sure what to do, talk to your doctor or nurse right away. If the injection is done correctly under the skin (called a “subcutaneous injection”), this will help reduce pain and bruising at the injection site.

 

Before injecting yourself with Clexane

• Prepare what you will need: syringe, cotton swab with alcohol or soap and water, and sharps container
• Check the expiration date of the medicine. If it has expired, do not use it
• Check that the syringe is not damaged and that the medicine solution is clear. If not, use another syringe
• Make sure you know the amount to be injected
• Check your stomach area if the last injection caused redness, skin discoloration, swelling, drainage, or pain that is still there. If this happens, check with your doctor or nurse

 

Instructions for injecting yourself Clexane:

(Instructions for syringes without safety device)

Preparation of the injection site

1. Choose an area on the right or left side of your stomach. At least 5 cm from the navel and to either side.
   • Do not inject within 5 cm of your navel or around your navel if there are scars or bruises.
   • To inject, alternate between the left and right sides of your stomach, depending on where you last injected.
2. Wash your hands. Clean (do not rub) the area to be injected with an alcohol swab or soap and water.
3. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position so that you are relaxed. Check that you can see the area where you are going to inject. The most suitable is on a divan, a recliner, or on a bed with cushions.

 

Dose Selection

1. Carefully remove the needle cap from the syringe by pulling on it. Discard the cap.
   • Before injecting, do not press the plunger to remove any air bubbles. This can lead to a loss of medication.
   • Once you have removed the cap, do not touch anything with the needle. This will ensure that the needle remains clean (sterile).
2. When the amount of medicine in the syringe matches the dose you have been prescribed, there is no need to adjust the dose. You are now ready to administer the injection.
3. When the dose depends on your body weight, you may need to adjust the dose in the syringe to match the prescribed dose. In this case, you will be able to get rid of the excess medicine by keeping the syringe pointed down (to keep the air bubble out of the syringe) and expelling the excess into a container.
4. A drop may appear at the end of the needle. If this happens, the drop should be removed before giving the injection by gently tapping the syringe with the needle pointing down. You are now ready to administer the injection.

Injection Administration

1. Hold the syringe in your writing hand (like a pencil). With your other hand, gently pinch the cleaned area of your stomach between your index finger and thumb to form a fold in the skin.
   • Be sure to hold this fold of skin for the duration of the injection.
2. Hold the syringe so that the needle points straight down (vertical at a 90º angle). Insert the entire needle into the skin fold.
3. Press down on the plunger with your thumb. This will deliver the medication into the fatty tissue of the stomach.
4. Complete the injection using all of the medicine in the syringe.
5. Remove the needle from the injection site by pulling straight on it. Point the needle away from yourself and other people. You can now release the skin fold.

 

When you are done

1. To prevent bruising, do not rub the injection site after you have injected.

Put the used syringe in the sharps container. Close the container lid tightly and place the container out of the reach of children. When the container is full, dispose of it as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.