Inappropriate Use of Enoxaparin in the Treatment of Deep-Vein Thrombosis

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Abstract
Low-molecular-weight heparins such as enoxaparin offer advantages over unfractionated heparin in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.1 For such indications, enoxaparin is currently approved only as prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in patients who undergo orthopedic surgery. Approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pending for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. Nevertheless, the off-label use of enoxaparin to treat patients with venous thromboembolism is increasing. I recently encountered two cases that illustrate the inappropriate use of the drug to treat venous thromboembolism.