Enoxaparin-induced hepatotoxicity: clinical cases and literature review

Abstract

Low molecular weight heparins, in particular enoxaparin, have a wide range of applications, including prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis. The most common adverse effects of these drugs are bleeding and thrombocytopenia, but a clinician should be aware of another less common but not less important adverse effect such as an elevated transaminase level. In 2019, we observed two cases of enoxaparin-induced hepatotoxicity. In the first one, enoxaparin 0.4 ml subcutaneously twice a day was prescribed to a 40-year-old woman as a bridge therapy to discontinue warfarin before elective surgery. In the second case, a 27-year-old man received enoxaparin 0.4 ml subcutaneously twice a day for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. The elevation of transaminase level for more than 3 times above the norm was noted in both patients which required discontinuation of the drug.

Keywords

• drug-induced liver injury
• enoxaparin
• low molecular weight heparins
• hepatotoxicity
• deep vein thrombosis