Andexxa (Andexanet Alfa)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick 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.
Important: This medicine has provisional approval in Australia and is subject to additional monitoring for safety.
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How to Take Andexxa
Andexxa will be given to you in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or nurse through injection or infusion into a vein.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide 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 you receive Andexxa, your doctor will decide when to restart your blood thinning medication.
What If You Miss a Dose?
This does not apply as Andexxa is given as a one-time emergency treatment in a hospital setting.
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 before receiving Andexxa that you should discuss with your healthcare team.
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.
- Tell your doctor about any medicines, vitamins or supplements you buy without a prescription
- Check with your doctor if you are not sure about what medicines affect Andexxa
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Andexxa affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Andexxa is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines or tools. However, be careful if you feel tired, dizzy, or have a headache.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings mentioned in the source material.
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. Do not freeze. Protect 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material does not specify the exact time it takes for Andexxa to work, but it is designed to rapidly reverse the effects of blood thinning medications in emergency situations.
This question does not apply as Andexxa is given through injection or infusion into a vein by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting.
No information about addiction potential is mentioned in the source material. Andexxa is used as a one-time emergency treatment.
Do not stop treatment with Andexxa unless you have discussed this with your doctor. However, this is typically a one-time emergency treatment.
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material for Andexxa.
Tell your doctor about any allergies, other medical conditions, all medicines you take, if you have surgery planned that requires heparin treatment, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
After you have received Andexxa, your doctor will decide when to restart your blood thinning medication based on your individual situation.
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.