Fondaparinux

Monitor patient closely for signs or symptoms of bleeding. Certain patients are at increased risk of bleeding. Risk factors include bacterial endocarditis; congenital or acquired bleeding disorders; active ulcerative and angiodysplastic GI disease; uncontrolled arterial hypertension; hemorrhagic stroke; recent intracranial hemorrhage; use shortly after brain, spinal, or ophthalmology surgery; in patients treated concomitantly with platelet inhibitors; thrombocytopenia or platelet defects; renal impairment; diabetic retinopathy; and/or patients • Thrombocytopenia: Has occurred with administration, including very rare reports of thrombocytopenia with thrombosis similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); however, has been used in patients with current or history of HIT due to a lack of an immune-mediated effect on platelets (ACCP [Guyatt 2012]; Savi 2005). Use is contraindicated in patients with thrombocytopenia associated with a positive in vitro test for antiplatelet antibodies in the presence of fondaparinux. Monitor patients closely and discontinue therapy if platelets fall to 3. Disease-related concerns:

May increase the risk of bleeding in patients with hepatic impairment. Use with caution.

May increase the risk of bleeding in patients with renal impairment. Use with caution in patients with CrCl 30 to 50 mL/minute (may cause prolonged anticoagulation); contraindicated in patients with CrCl Concurrent drug therapy issues:

Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information. Special populations:

Use with caution in the elderly; increased risk of bleeding in patients >75 years of age.

The needle guard may contain natural latex rubber. Other warnings/precautions:

For subcutaneous administration; not for IM administration. For STEMI patients (off-label use) may administer initial dose IV. Do not use interchangeably (unit for unit) with low molecular weight heparins, heparin, or heparinoids.

Following discontinuation, the anticoagulant effects of fondaparinux may persist for 2 to 4 days and even longer in patients with renal impairment.

Spinal or epidural hematomas, including subsequent long-term or permanent paralysis, may occur with neuraxial anesthesia (epidural or spinal anesthesia) or spinal puncture in patients anticoagulated with LMWH, heparinoids, or fondaparinux. Consider risk versus benefit prior to spinal procedures; risk is increased by the use of concomitant agents which may alter hemostasis (such as NSAIDS, platelet inhibitors, or other anticoagulants), the use of indwelling epidural catheters, a history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery, as well as a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal punctures. Optimal timing between administration of fondaparinux and neuraxial procedures is not known. Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurologic impairment. If neurologic compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary. Consider the benefit and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated for thromboprophylaxis.

The administration of fondaparinux as the sole anticoagulant is not recommended during PCI due to an increased risk for guiding-catheter thrombosis. Use of an anticoagulant with antithrombin activity (eg, unfractionated heparin) is recommended as adjunctive therapy to PCI even if prior treatment with fondaparinux (must take into account whether GP IIb/IIIa antagonists have been administered) (ACC/AHA [Amsterdam 2014]; Levine 2011). Use of fondaparinux during primary PCI is not recommended.