Andexxa (Andexanet Alfa)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Andexxa Used For?
Andexxa is a specialized medication used in emergency situations to reverse the effects of certain blood thinning medications when serious bleeding occurs.
Primary Uses
Andexxa is used to reverse the effects of specific blood thinning medications called factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban or rivaroxaban) in cases of life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding situations.
How It Works
Andexxa is a factor Xa decoy molecule that binds to certain blood thinning medications called FXa inhibitors (apixaban or rivaroxaban), effectively reversing their blood-thinning effects when rapid reversal is needed.
Important: This medicine has provisional approval in Australia and is subject to additional monitoring to quickly identify new safety information.
How to Take Andexxa
Andexxa will only be given to you in a hospital or clinic by trained medical professionals through injection or infusion into a vein.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine how much Andexxa you need based on the type and dose of blood thinning medication you take, as well as the time since your last dose of blood thinning medication. After receiving Andexxa, your doctor will decide when to restart your blood thinning medication.
Treatment Setting
Andexxa will be given to you in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse through injection or infusion into a vein.
Do Not Stop: Do not stop treatment with Andexxa unless you have discussed this with your doctor.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- sweating or chills (fever)
- feeling hot (flushing)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body (stroke)
- pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back (heart attack)
- rapid or irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness (cardiac arrest)
- swelling, change in skin colour, trouble breathing (blood clot in the leg, arm, or lung)
- serious allergic reaction with swelling of face, tongue or mouth, breathing difficulties, feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations and medical conditions that need to be discussed with your doctor before receiving Andexxa.
Who Should Not Take Andexxa
Do not use Andexxa if you are allergic to andexanet alfa or any of the ingredients listed in the medication information.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any medicines for any other condition, have surgery planned that requires treatment with heparin, or have any urgent surgery planned.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Andexxa is not recommended during pregnancy or if you have the potential to become pregnant and are not using contraception. It is not known if Andexxa can harm your unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking Andexxa as it is not known whether Andexxa passes into breast milk.
Children and Adolescents: There is no information on the use of Andexxa in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
It’s important to tell your healthcare team about all medications you are taking to avoid potential interactions.
Important: Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Andexxa.
- Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking
- Include vitamins and supplements bought without prescription
- Mention medicines from pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop
Alcohol & Driving
While Andexxa is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines, you should be careful until you know how it affects you.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Andexxa affects you. Andexxa is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines, but be careful if you feel tired, dizzy, or have a headache.
Storage
Andexxa will be stored by your healthcare providers at the hospital or clinic where you receive treatment. Unopened vials should be stored refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C, should not be frozen, and should be protected from light.
Overdose Information
Since Andexxa is administered by healthcare professionals in a controlled hospital setting, overdose is unlikely. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your specific situation and the blood thinning medication you were taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Andexxa is designed to rapidly reverse the effects of blood thinning medications in emergency bleeding situations. Your doctor will monitor your response to treatment.
Andexxa is used for life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding situations and requires careful monitoring by trained medical professionals. It must be given by injection or infusion into a vein.
Andexxa specifically reverses the effects of factor Xa inhibitors called apixaban or rivaroxaban.
After you have received Andexxa, your doctor will decide when to restart your blood thinning medication based on your individual situation.
For serious side effects like stroke symptoms, heart attack symptoms, or allergic reactions, call your doctor straight away or go to the Emergency Department. For less serious side effects like fever or flushing, speak to your doctor if they worry you.
Andexxa is not recommended during pregnancy or if you could become pregnant and are not using contraception. It is not known if Andexxa can harm your unborn baby.
Andexxa has provisional approval in Australia, meaning more evidence is still being collected to fully confirm its benefit and safety. Additional monitoring allows quick identification of new safety information.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.