Prescription Name: Arixtra

*NOTE* Arixtra is a medication that should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. Please note I don't recommend taking Arixtra without a prior prescription from your doctor and cannot be held responsible for any problems that occur from taking Arixtra. This information is provided for information purposes and is not intended as a substitues to professional advice *NOTE*

Active Ingrediant in Arixtra: fondaparinux sodium

Uses for taking Arixtra

Arixtra is used to reduce the risk of blood clots in the veins, which may break off and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) in patients undergoing:

• hip fracture surgery,
• hip replacement surgery,
• knee replacement surgery.

The most common side effect with Arixtra is bleeding.

Things to be cautious of while taking Arixtra:

Certain other medicines can increase the risk of bleeding with Arixtra. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially, tell your doctor or health care provider if you are taking:

• blood thinners
• aspirin
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen sodium (Naprosyn or Aleve)

Tell your health care provider if you have:

• bleeding problems, any recent bleeding, or if you bleed easily
• high blood pressure
• a recent stomach ulcer
• eye problems due to diabetes
• kidney problems
• had a stroke

Arixtra should not be given to people who:

• have severe kidney problems
• weigh less than 110 pounds (50kg)
• have bleeding anywhere
• have a heart infection (bacterial endocarditis)
• have a history of Arixtra causing the blood to have low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
• are allergic to Arixtra or to any of the ingredients in Arixtra

Tell your health care provider if you have any of these conditions.

Special Warnings with Arixtra:

Arixtra and other medicines like it can cause bleeding into the spine when used in patients who have received epidural or spinal anesthesia, or any spinal injection. Bleeding in the spine can cause long term or permanent paralysis.

Arixtra, like other medicines that prevent the blood from clotting, is given with extreme caution to people who have conditions that have an increased risk of bleeding, such as:

• bleeding disorders,
• ulcerative colitis and other bleeding disorders in the stomach and intestines
• bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)
• recent brain, spinal, or eye surgery
• taking other medicines that prevent the blood from clotting

Increased risk of bleeding is the most common complication of Arixtra. If you have the following conditions, your risk of bleeding may be increased:

• severe high blood pressure
• recent lumbar puncture, or spinal anesthesia
• recent major surgery (especially involving the brain, spinal cord, or eye)
• medical conditions that increase the tendency to bleed
• stomach ulcers

You should tell your doctor if

• Because certain other medications can interact with Arixtra, and may increase the risk of bleeding, review all medications that you are taking with your health care provider, including those that you take without a prescription.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking blood thinners.

Special Warnings with Arixtra:

For Women:

• You must not take Arixtra if you are pregnant or a woman of childbearing age not using reliable contraception, because in animal studies Arixtra has been shown to cause birth defects to the fetus.
• You must avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with Arixtra. If you suspect or find out that you are pregnant while taking Arixtra call you health care provider right away.
• After stopping Arixtra treatment you must complete the drug elimination procedure before becoming pregnant because Arixtra stays in the body a long time.
• You should not breast-feed if you are taking Arixtra.

For Men:

• If there is any possibility your partner could become pregnant, you should stop Arixtra treatment and go through the drug elimination procedure prescribed by your doctor.

For All Patients:

• Your doctor will conduct liver tests before you start taking Arixtra and will check your liver's response to Arixtra every month at first.