What is fondaparinux?
Fondaparinux prevents the formation of blood clots.
Fondaparinux is used to prevent blood clots. It is often used in people who have undergone
certain types of surgery.
Fondaparinux may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fondaparinux?
You should not use fondaparinux if you weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms), or if
you have:
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely use this medication. Before using fondaparinux, tell your doctor if you have:
-
kidney disease;
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
-
a stomach ulcer or history of stomach bleeding;
-
eye problems caused by diabetes;
-
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
a history of stroke;
-
if you have recently had brain or eye surgery; or
-
if you are allergic to latex rubber.
FDA pregnancy category B. Fondaparinux is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether fondaparinux passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.
How should I take fondaparinux?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Fondaparinux is given as an injection under the skin. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare
provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not
self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of
used needles and syringes.
Fondaparinux should not be injected into a muscle or a vein.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container
out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your
doctor for a new prescription.
To be sure fondaparinux is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
If you undergo a spinal tap or any type of spinal anesthesia (such as an epidural), tell the
doctor ahead of time that you are using fondaparinux. You may need to stop using the medicine for a
short time before having such procedures.
Store fondaparinux at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of fondaparinux?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. 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 the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about fondaparinux?
Your pharmacist has information about fondaparinux written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of fondaparinux?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
pale skin, easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or any bleeding
that will not stop;
-
drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss
of appetite;
-
swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
weakness or fainting;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
-
sudden numbness, weakness, headache, confusion, or
problems with speech, vision, or balance; or
-
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme
thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, vomiting, constipation;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
mild skin rash;
-
dizziness; or
-
minor bleeding, rash, or itching where the medicine was
injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about fondaparinux?
You should not use fondaparinux if you weigh less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms), or if
you have severe kidney disease, active bleeding, a low level of platelets in your blood, or an infection of
the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis).
Before using fondaparinux, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, especially kidney
disease, hemophilia, a bleeding stomach ulcer, eye problems caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, a
history of stroke, and any recent surgeries.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Do not self-inject this
medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles
and syringes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Fondaparinux should not be injected into a muscle or a vein.
If you undergo a spinal tap or any type of spinal anesthesia (such as an epidural), tell the
doctor ahead of time that you are using fondaparinux. You may need to stop using the medicine for a
short time before having such procedures.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as easy bruising, bleeding
that will not stop, urinating less than usual or not at all, black or bloody stools, cough up blood, sudden
numbness or weakness, confusion, or problems with speech, balance, or vision.
What should I avoid while taking fondaparinux?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are using fondaparinux.
What other drugs will affect fondaparinux?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
heparin;
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam,
Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin),
ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic),
nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
-
other medication used to prevent blood clots, such as
alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine),
streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
fondaparinux. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of fondaparinux?
