Arixtra®

  • Alternative medicine: Marcumar
  • Diseases for which Arixtra® is used: Thrombosis Thrombosis prophylaxis Pulmonary embolism
  • Thrombosis
  • Thrombosis prophylaxis
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Thrombosis
  • Thrombosis prophylaxis
  • Pulmonary embolism

Synonyms in a broader sense

Name of active substance: Fondaparinux

  • Fondaparinux sodium
  • Synthetic fondaparinux
  • Anticoagulant
  • Factor Xa- Inhibitor

Arixtra® is a drug for the direct inhibition of blood coagulation. In medical terminology the drug belongs to the group of direct anticoagulants. Arixtra® is used in the preventive treatment of thromboses and embolisms, i.e. to prevent the formation of blood clots and vascular occlusion (thrombosis prophylaxis). Arixtra® is therefore often used in the context of major surgical procedures on the lower extremities, for example when implanting a knee or hip prosthesis.

Effect / mode of action

The active ingredient of the drug Arixtra® is the synthetically produced fondaparinux. Chemically it is similar to the anticoagulant heparin. Fondaparinux intervenes in the coagulation mechanism by selectively inhibiting coagulation factor Xa.

The process of blood clotting consists of two phases: Primary haemostasis initially leads to haemostasis within 1-3 minutes and the formation of loose wound closure. Secondary haemostasis ensures that a fibrin network is formed and the wound closure is stabilized. This takes place within a period of 6-10 minutes.

Secondary haemostasis is controlled by coagulation factors; factor Xa initiates the final stage of plasmatic coagulation. It cleaves prothrombin to thrombin, the activated factor IIa. Thrombin in turn activates fibrin.

Fibrin is cross-linked with factor XIII and stabilises wound closure, resulting in the formation of a thrombus. If Factor Xa is now inhibited by fondaparinux, the blood coagulation cascade can no longer run properly. Thrombin can no longer be activated and the formation of the stable blood clot does not occur. – the primary hemostasis and

  • Secondary hemostasis

Dosage/administration of Arixtra

Arixtra® is available only on prescription and is dispensed by pharmacies as a clear solution for injection into pre-filled syringes (0.5ml). Depending on the area of application, Arixtra® is available in doses of 1.5 – 2.5 mg each: 1.5 – 2.5 mg is the standard dose for orthopaedic surgery and for the prevention of superficial blood clots, while the higher doses are more likely to be used for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. – 1.5mg

  • 2. 5 mg
  • 5 mg
  • 7,5 mgand
  • 10 mg

Application

Arixtra® 2.5 mg should be injected under the skin approximately six hours after the orthopaedic procedure, the injection is usually made into the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the abdomen. The daily dose is 2.5 mg and should be administered until the risk of postoperative thrombosis or embolism has been reduced, usually for 5-9 days. Even in the treatment of superficial venous thrombosis, 2.5 mg is administered once daily and this dose is maintained for about 30 to 45 days.

Also 2.5 mg is given to patients with unstable angina pectoris (“chest tightness”, which is usually caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries caused by arteriosclerosis) or diagnosed heart attack; here the first dose is administered intravenously or by drip infusion. In this case, the duration of treatment is at least one week. Arixtra® 7. 5 mg is administered to patients once a day for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (blood clot that has been carried over and is dangerously occluded in the blood vessels supplying the lungs). Again, the daily injection should be given for at least one week.