WHAT IS THIS MEDICINE AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
Arixtra contains fondaparinux sodium, a medicine that thins
the blood to prevent blood clots (called deep vein thrombosis or DVT) from
forming in your veins after surgery. The 2.5 mg dose is the standard preventive
(prophylactic) dose given to patients who have had hip fracture surgery, hip
replacement, knee replacement, or major abdominal surgery — times when you are
at high risk of clots because you are less mobile.
3. HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE
This medicine is injected under the skin (subcutaneously)
into the fat around your stomach (abdomen). You will receive your first
injection at least 6–8 hours after your surgery, once any bleeding has been
controlled. After that, you have one injection every day, usually for 5–9 days.
For hip fracture surgery, the course may continue for up to 32 days in total. A
nurse or pharmacist will show you how to inject it yourself if you are going
home with it.
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💡 PATIENT TIP: This
2.5 mg preventive dose is not suitable if your kidneys are working poorly
(creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min) — your doctor will decide on an
alternative. It is also not recommended if you weigh less than 50 kg. Elderly
patients may need closer monitoring as kidney function naturally declines
with age. |
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
|
How Common? |
Side Effects to Know About |
|
Common (>1 in 10) |
Bruising or mild bleeding at the injection
site, mild anaemia (low red blood cells) after surgery, swelling, nausea |
|
Less Common |
Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), raised
liver enzymes, skin rash or itching, low potassium levels |
|
Seek Medical Help |
Serious bleeding (including internal
bleeding) — seek emergency help immediately if you notice unusual bruising,
blood in urine or stools, or vomiting blood. Back pain with leg weakness or
loss of bladder/bowel control after spinal anaesthesia may indicate a rare
but serious spinal blood clot. |
5. WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE
Do not use if: you have severe kidney disease (CrCl <30
mL/min), you are actively bleeding heavily, you have a heart valve infection
(bacterial endocarditis), your platelet count has dropped due to a reaction to
fondaparinux, you weigh less than 50 kg (for prevention use), or you are
allergic to fondaparinux.
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⚠ IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: SPINAL BLOOD
CLOTS: If you are having an epidural or spinal injection alongside this
medicine, there is a small risk of a blood clot forming around the spinal
cord. This can cause permanent paralysis. Report any back pain, weakness in
your legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control to your doctor immediately. NO
ANTIDOTE: There is no specific reversal agent for fondaparinux, unlike some
other blood thinners. LATEX ALLERGY: The needle guard of the syringe contains
natural rubber — tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy. |
6. MEDICINES THAT INTERACT WITH THIS TREATMENT
Taking fondaparinux with other blood-thinning medicines —
including aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, clopidogrel, warfarin, or newer
anticoagulants like rivaroxaban — significantly increases the risk of serious
bleeding. Your doctor should review all your medicines before starting Arixtra.
7. HOW TO STORE THIS MEDICINE
Store at room temperature (15°C–30°C). Do not freeze. Keep
in the original packaging. Each syringe is single-use — discard after one
injection.
8. PRESCRIPTION REQUIREMENT
|
Status |
Prescription Only Medicine (POM) |
9. GUIDANCE FOR PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS
This injection helps protect you from a serious and
potentially fatal blood clot after your surgery. Inject into the fatty skin of
your lower abdomen, away from your navel. Rotate injection sites and do not rub
the area after injecting. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising, dark/bloody
stools, severe headache, sudden weakness, or back pain to your doctor or go to
the emergency room. Tell every healthcare provider you see — including dentists
— that you are taking a blood thinner.
10. PHARMACIST & PRESCRIBER NOTES
|
Clinical Dispensing Notes |
Confirm strength: 2.5 mg is the prophylactic
(prevention) dose only. Not for DVT treatment — see 7.5 mg strength. Verify
weight (contraindicated <50 kg for prophylaxis) and renal function before
dispensing. Educate on subcutaneous injection technique and correct abdominal
site rotation. Latex needle guard — screen for latex allergy. Monitor
platelet count and signs of bleeding. |
11. FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Q: How do I inject Arixtra at home?
A: Pinch a fold of skin on your lower abdomen (at least 5
cm from your navel). Insert the needle straight in at a 90-degree angle and
press the plunger slowly. Do not rub the area after injecting. Rotate injection
sites each day. Your nurse or pharmacist can demonstrate the technique.
Q: How long do I need to use Arixtra injections?
A: For most surgeries, Arixtra is given for 5–9 days. For
hip fracture surgery, your doctor may extend the course for up to 32 days to
protect you during your longer recovery period.
Q: Can I eat normally while taking Arixtra?
A: Yes — unlike warfarin, Arixtra does not have food
interactions. However, avoid taking other blood-thinning medicines (including
aspirin and ibuprofen) without your doctor's approval, as this increases
bleeding risk.
Q: What should I do if I miss an injection?
A: If you miss a daily dose and remember on the same day,
inject as soon as you can. If you miss an entire day, do not double the next
day's dose — contact your doctor or nurse for advice.
Q: How do I store Arixtra pre-filled syringes?
A: Store at room temperature (15–30°C) away from heat and
direct light. Do not freeze. Each syringe is single-use — dispose of safely in
a sharps bin after each injection.