Parenteral anticoagulants for VTE treatment

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (eg enoxaparin, dalteparin) or intravenous unfractionated heparin can be used for parenteral treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (ie deep vein thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]).

LMWH or UFH can be used to treat VTE during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, as well as for patients with severe kidney impairment or liver impairment. LMWH is an option for patients with active cancer.

Parenteral anticoagulant therapy must also be used when warfarin therapy is started, and 5 days before starting dabigatran, to treat VTE.

Fondaparinux is a suitable option to treat VTE in patients with known or suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); see Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia for dosages.