When Is Fondaparinux Prescribed? |
How Is Fondaparinux Given? |
What Are the Side Effects? |
Who Should Not Take This Medicine? |
What Are the Precautions With This Medicine?
Fondaparinux
(Arixtra) is an FDA-approved blood thinner used to prevent blood clots from forming.
When a blood clot forms in a vein in the legs, it is called
deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). DVT can block blood flow through the vein. Symptoms include pain, swelling, warmth, and a change in skin color of the affected leg. Sometimes there are no symptoms unless a clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. This is called
pulmonary embolism and can be fatal.
People who undergo certain surgeries are at high risk of developing DVT. These include:
When Is Fondaparinux Prescribed?
If you are at risk for developing blood clots, your doctor may prescribe fondaparinux after certain types of surgery, including hip or knee replacement, hip fracture repair, or abdominal surgery. This medicine may be prescribed to people who are very ill and have risk factors for blood clots. Fondaparinux may also be used along with other blood thinners to treat DVT and pulmonary embolism.
How Is Fondaparinux Given?
This medicine is given as an injection under the skin.
What Are the Side Effects?
Fondaparinux can cause many side effects. Some of these include:
- For people who have had hip or knee replacement, or hip fracture repair:
- For people who have had abdominal surgery:
- For people who are being treated for pulmonary embolism:
Who Should Not Take This Medicine?
Like
all blood-thinning drugs, fondaparinux can cause excessive, dangerous bleeding. The risk of bleeding is greater for certain groups of people. You will not be able to take fondaparinux if you have any of these conditions:
- Severe kidney disease
- Weigh less than 110 pounds
-
Active major bleeding,
bacterial endocarditis (an infection that affects the heart), and thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count)
What Are the Precautions With This Medicine?
If you are prescribed fondaparinux, follow these guidelines:
- Be sure to carefully follow your doctor's instructions, especially if you are aged 75 or older. You may experience more side effects.
- Tell your healthcare providers, including dentists, that you are taking fondaparinux.
- Ask your doctor about steps that you can take to prevent injuries. Because you are taking fondaparinux, you will bleed more easily.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including over-the-counter drugs and herbs and supplements.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
In rare cases, you may be more likely to have severe bleeding after certain procedures, including:
Bauer, KA, Eriksson, BI, Lassen, MR, et al. Fondaparinux Compared With Enoxaparin for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism After Elective Major Knee Surgery.
N Engl J Med.
2001; 345:1305.
Eriksson, BI, Bauer, KA, Lassen, MR, et al. Fondaparinux Compared With Enoxaparin for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism After Hip-Fracture Surgery.
N Engl J Med.
2001; 345:1298.
Fondaparinux. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated July 6, 2010. Accesed July 12, 2011.
Fondaparinux. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated March 9, 2010. Accessed July 13, 2010.
Last reviewed July 2011 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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