It is a pentasaccharide composed of five sugars, and the sequence of the five sugars is derived from the portion of heparin that binds to antithrombin. By binding to antithrombin, fondaparinux inhibits factor Xa. (By contrast, low molecular weight heparin has a mean of 15 sugars.)

Fondaparinux is given subcutaneously daily. Clinically, it is used for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have had orthopedic surgery as well as for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

One potential advantage of fondaparinux over LMWH or unfractionated heparin is that the risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is substantially lower. Furthermore, there have been case reports of fondaparinux being used to anticoagulate patients with established HIT. However, its long half life precludes its use in patients with renal dysfunction.

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GlaxoSmithKline Submits J-NDAP for Antithrombogenic Agent Fondapariux Sodium
From JCNN News Summaries, 11/25/05

Tokyo, Japan, Nov 25, 2005 - (JCNN) - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced on November 24 that it has submitted a New Drug Application (J-NDA) to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, seeking marketing approval of fondapariux sodium. Fondapariux sodium is a selective inhibitor of Factor Xa, a protein central to the coagulation process.

The company is seeking an indication for venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures.

Initially approved in the US in December 2001, the agent is currently marketed in 30 countries worldwide under the trade name of Arixtra.

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