Fondaparinux (Injection)

Fondaparinux (fon-da-PAR-in-ux)

Prevents blood clots from forming after hip or knee replacement or repair surgery. This medicine is an anticoagulant or "blood thinner."

Brand Name(s):

Arixtra
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fondaparinux or excessive bleeding caused by this medicine, or if you have severe kidney disease, major bleeding, an infection involving your heart, or if you weigh less than 110 pounds.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Do not switch to any other blood thinner.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine away from children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, etodolac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, Advil®, Aleve®, Daypro®, Motrin®, Relafen®) or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have bleeding problems, ulcers, a back injury, bleeding in your digestive system, uncontrolled high blood pressure, eye problems caused by diabetes, or a history of stroke or bleeding caused by heparin. Make sure your doctor knows if you are over 75 years old or if you have recently had brain, back, or eye surgery.
• This medicine may cause bleeding problems. This risk is higher if you have a catheter in your back for administering pain medicine or anesthesia (sometimes called an "epidural") or if you have kidney problems. The risk of bleeding increases as the severity of the kidney problems increases. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or stools at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• The blood thinning effects of this medicine may last for up to 4 days after you stop using fondaparinux.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Rapid weight gain
• Sudden or severe headache, dizziness, trouble seeing
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual back pain
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Fever
• Mild redness, bleeding, itching, or rash where the shot is given
• Nausea, constipation, vomiting
• Trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.