Fondaparinux injection

What is fondaparinux injection?

FONDAPARINUX (Arixtra®) is commonly used after abdominal, knee replacement, hip replacement, or hip fracture surgeries to help prevent blood clotting. Fondaparinux can also be used to treat blood clots in the veins or lungs. Fondaparinux stops clots from forming or getting bigger, and lets the body naturally dissolve the clots. Fondaparinux is known as an anticoagulant, and is sometimes called a blood thinner. However, fondaparinux does not actually thin the blood, but decreases the ability of blood to form clots. Generic fondaparinux injections are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive fondaparinux?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding disorders, hemorrhage, or hemophilia

• brain tumor or aneurysm

• decreased kidney function

• diabetes

• high blood pressure

• infection of the heart or heart valves

• receiving injections of medications or vitamins

• liver disease

• previous stroke

• recent surgery or delivery of a baby

• ulcer in the stomach or intestine, diverticulitis, or other bowel disease

• undergoing treatments for cancer

• an unusual or allergic reaction to fondaparinux, heparin, low molecular weight heparins, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Fondaparinux is for injection under the skin. It is usually given by a health-care professional, or you or a family member may be trained on how to give the injections. If you are to give yourself injections, make sure you understand how to use the syringe, measure the dose if necessary, and give the injection, and how to dispose of used syringes and needles. Use the syringes only once, and throw away syringes and needles in a closed container to prevent accidental needle sticks. Use exactly as directed. Do not exceed the prescribed dose, and try not to miss doses.

To avoid bruising, do not rub the site where fondaparinux has been injected.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

Usually you will receive fondaparinux in the hospital and this will not apply. However, if you are using fondaparinux at home and you miss a dose, use your next scheduled dose when it is due unless otherwise directed by your health care provider. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with fondaparinux?

• antiinflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®), or ketoprofen (Orudis-KT®)

• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines

• cilostazol

• clopidogrel

• dipyridamole

• fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) supplements

• herbal products containing feverfew, garlic, ginger, gingko, or horse chestnut

• ticlopidine

• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking fondaparinux?

In case of an accident or emergency, it is recommended that you place a notification in your wallet that you are receiving fondaparinux. The blood thinning effects of fondaparinux may last for 2 or 3 days after you stop receiving it.

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving fondaparinux. Notify your prescriber or health care professional and seek emergency treatment if you develop increased difficulty in breathing, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or arms, abdominal pain, decreased vision, pain when walking, or pain and warmth of the arms or legs. These can be signs that your condition has worsened.

Monitor your skin closely for easy bruising or red spots, which can indicate bleeding. If you notice easy bruising or minor bleeding from the nose, gums/teeth, in your urine, or stool, contact your prescriber or health care professional immediately, these are indications that your medication needs adjustment or evaluation. Keep scheduled appointments with your prescriber or health care professional to check on your condition.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you have received fondaparinux.

Do not take aspirin or aspirin-like products (ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen) while using fondaparinux unless directed to do so by your prescriber.

Be careful to avoid injury while you are using fondaparinux. Take special care brushing or flossing your teeth, shaving, cutting your fingernails or toenails, or when using sharp objects. Report any injuries to your prescriber or health care professional.

What side effects might I notice from receiving fondaparinux?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare or uncommon:

• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as back or stomach pain, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine, or coughing up blood

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness or fainting spells

• heavy menstrual bleeding

More frequent:

• bleeding from the injection site

• fever

• unusual bruising or bleeding: bleeding gums, red spots on the skin, nosebleeds

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• pain or irritation at the injection site

• skin rash, itching

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59—86 degrees F); do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Make sure you receive a puncture-resistant container to dispose of the needles and syringes once you have finished with them. Do not reuse these items. Return the container to your prescriber or health care professional for proper disposal.