Skip to main content

Factor Xa (recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo (Monograph)

Brand name: Andexxa
Drug class: Antihemorrhagic Agents, Miscellaneous
Chemical name: Recombinant inactivated Factor Xa containing Gla-domain deletion and S290A mutation
Molecular formula: C1750H2727N489O539S27
CAS number: 1262449-58-0

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 4, 2023. Written by ASHP.

Warning

    Thromboembolic Risks, Ischemic Risks, Cardiac Arrest, and Sudden Death
  • Treatment with factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo has been associated with serious and life-threatening adverse effects (e.g., arterial and venous thromboembolic events, ischemic events [MI and ischemic stroke], cardiac arrest, sudden death).1

  • Monitor for manifestations of thromboembolic events and initiate anticoagulation when medically appropriate.1

  • Monitor for signs and symptoms that precede cardiac arrest and provide appropriate medical treatment.1 (See Thromboembolic Risks, Ischemic Risks, Cardiac Arrest, and Sudden Death under Cautions.)

Introduction

Specific reversal agent for anticoagulant effects of apixaban or rivaroxaban; a recombinant modified human factor Xa protein.1 2 3 13 14 Also known as andexanet alfa.2 3 6 7 8 12 13 14

Uses for Factor Xa (recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo

Reversal of Apixaban or Rivaroxaban Anticoagulation

Used for the reversal of apixaban or rivaroxaban anticoagulation in patients with life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding; designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use.1 2 3 9

Accelerated approval is based on the change from baseline in anti-factor Xa activity following administration in healthy individuals;1 improvement in hemostasis not established.1 Continued FDA approval for this indication may be contingent on results of studies demonstrating improvement in hemostasis.1

Rapidly reverses the anticoagulant effects of apixaban or rivaroxaban (as measured by anti-factor Xa activity, unbound anticoagulant concentration, and thrombin generation).1 2 3 14 15

Not indicated for treatment of bleeding related to other factor Xa inhibitors; safety and efficacy not established.1

Management of bleeding complications in patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) should be individualized according to severity and location of hemorrhage.25 34 Reversal agents should generally be reserved for patients with severe and life-threatening bleeding.25 26 27 28 34 Experts state that reversal agents should only be administered when clinically relevant DOAC concentrations are documented or expected.34 If a reversal agent is warranted in patients with rivaroxaban- or apixaban-associated major bleeding, factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo may be used.25 26 27 28 34

Factor Xa (recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo Dosage and Administration

Administration

IV Administration

Administer as a direct IV (“bolus”) injection followed by a continuous infusion.1

Initiate continuous infusion within 2 minutes after the direct IV injection of the drug.1

Reconstitution

Reconstitute vials containing 200 mg of factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo with 20 mL of sterile water for injection using a 20-mL (or larger) syringe and a 20-gauge (or higher) needle to provide a solution containing 10 mg/mL.1

Gently swirl vials (do not shake) to aid reconstitution (typical dissolution time for each vial is 3–5 minutes).1

Reconstitute all required vials for a dose in succession to reduce total reconstitution time.1

Direct IV injection: Transfer appropriate amount of solution from the reconstituted vial(s), using a 60-mL (or larger) syringe with a 20-gauge (or higher) needle, into an empty polyolefin or PVC IV bag (≤250 mL).1

Continuous IV infusion: Transfer appropriate amount of solution from the reconstituted vial(s), using more than one 40- to 60-mL syringe or an equivalent 100-mL syringe with a 20-gauge (or higher) needle, into an empty polyolefin or PVC IV bag (≤250 mL).1 5

Administer drug IV using an inline 0.2- or 0.22-μm polyethersulfone or equivalent low protein-binding filter.1

Rate of Administration

Direct IV injection: Target rate 30 mg/minute.1

Continuous IV infusion low-dose regimen: 4 mg/minute.1

Continuous IV infusion high-dose regimen: 8 mg/minute.1

Dosage

Adults

Reversal of Apixaban or Rivaroxaban Anticoagulation
IV

Dosage based upon the specific factor Xa inhibitor, dosage of the factor Xa inhibitor, and time since the patient's last dose of the factor Xa inhibitor.1 (See Table 1.)

Table 1. Factor Xa (Recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo Dosage Based on Apixaban or Rivaroxaban Dose and Timing

Factor Xa Inhibitor

Factor Xa Inhibitor Last Dose

Timing of Last Dose of Factor Xa Inhibitor

<8 Hours or Unknown

≥8 Hours

Apixaban

≤5 mg

Low dose

Low dose

>5 mg or unknown

High dose

Low dose

Rivaroxaban

≤10 mg

Low dose

Low dose

>10 mg or unknown

High dose

Low dose

Low-dose regimen: Direct IV injection of 400 mg followed within 2 minutes by a continuous IV infusion of 4 mg/minute for up to 120 minutes (480 mg).1

High-dose regimen: Direct IV injection of 800 mg followed within 2 minutes by a continuous IV infusion of 8 mg/minute for up to 120 minutes (960 mg).1

Safety and efficacy of additional doses of factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo not established.1

Resume anticoagulant therapy as soon as medically appropriate.1

Special Populations

Renal Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.1

Hepatic Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations.1

Cautions for Factor Xa (recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Warnings

Thromboembolic Risks, Ischemic Risks, Cardiac Arrest, and Sudden Death

Life-threatening thromboembolic and ischemic complications, including sudden death, reported.1 3 4 (See Boxed Warning.)

Safety not established in patients who have experienced a thromboembolic event or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) within 2 weeks prior to the life-threatening bleeding event.1

Safety not established in patients who have received prothrombin complex concentrates, recombinant factor VIIa, or whole blood products within 7 days prior to the bleeding event.1

Monitor patients for manifestations of arterial and venous thromboembolic events, ischemic events, and cardiac arrest.1 Initiate anticoagulation when medically appropriate.1 Provide appropriate treatment for cardiac arrest as needed.1

Reversing effects of factor Xa inhibitor therapy increases risk of thromboembolic events; resume anticoagulant therapy as soon as medically appropriate following treatment with factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo.1

Other Warnings and Precautions

Re-elevation or Incomplete Reversal of Anti-factor Xa Activity

A rapid and substantial decrease in anti-factor Xa activity corresponding to a direct IV (“bolus”) injection dose of the drug observed.1 This decrease was sustained throughout continuous IV infusion of the drug; anti-factor Xa activity returned to placebo concentrations approximately 2 hours after completion of a direct IV injection or continuous IV infusion.1 Thereafter, the anti-factor Xa activity decreased at a rate similar to the clearance of the factor Xa inhibitor.1 Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity in plasma returned to pretreatment levels approximately 96 hours following factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo administration.1

Safety and efficacy of repeat doses of factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo not established.1

Interference with Effects of Heparin

May interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin.1 (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

Immunogenicity

Potential for immunogenicity with use of all therapeutic proteins, including factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo.1 Low titers of anti-factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo antibodies observed in patients receiving the drug (generation 1 product).1 None of these anti-factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo antibodies were neutralizing.1 Development of antibodies cross-reacting with factor X or factor Xa not observed.1

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

No adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.1 Animal reproductive and developmental studies lacking.1 Safety and efficacy during labor and delivery not established.1

Lactation

Not known whether factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo is distributed into human milk.1 Consider benefits of breast-feeding and the clinical need for factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo in the woman along with any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed infant from the drug or underlying maternal condition.1

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.1

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in efficacy or safety between geriatric and younger patients; however, increased sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.1

Common Adverse Effects

Patients with major bleeding: Urinary tract infections,1 pneumonia.1

Healthy individuals: Infusion-related reactions (e.g., flushing, feeling hot, cough, dysgeusia, dyspnea).1

Drug Interactions

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Factor Xa inhibitors (i.e., apixaban, rivaroxaban)

No effect on pharmacokinetics of factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo1

Heparin

May interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin1

Avoid use of factor Xa (recombinant), inactivated-zhzo prior to heparinization; use an alternative anticoagulant1

Factor Xa (recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo Pharmacokinetics

Differences in manufacturing processes resulted in a generation 1 and generation 2 drug product.1 4 5 These products are from the same cell line and FDA has determined the 2 products to be bioequivalent.5

Absorption

Onset

Rapidly reduces anti-factor Xa activity (within 2–5 minutes).1 2

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether distributed into milk.1

Elimination

Half-life

Low-dose regimen (generation 1 product): 4.3 hours (range: 3.3–11.9 hours).1

Low-dose regimen (generation 2 product): 3.3 hours (range 2.3–4 hours).1

High-dose regimen (generation 1 product): 4 hours (range 2–5.7 hours).1

High-dose regimen (generation 2 product): 2.7 hours (range 1.9–3.4 hours).1

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Powder for injection, unopened vials: 2–8°C; do not freeze.1

Reconstituted drug solution in vials: Stable at room temperature for ≤8 hours or at 2–8°C for ≤24 hours.1

Reconstituted drug solution in IV bags: Stable at room temperature for ≤8 hours.1

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

Factor Xa (Recombinant), Inactivated-zhzo

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Parenteral

For injection, for IV use only

200 mg

Andexxa

Portola

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions December 13, 2021. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

References

1. Alexion. Andexxa (coagulation factor Xa [recombinant], inactivated-zhzo) prescribing information. Boston MA; 2021 Feb.

2. Siegal DM, Curnutte JT, Connolly SJ et al. Andexanet alfa for the reversal of factor Xa inhibitor activity. N Engl J Med. 2015; 373:2413-24. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26559317?dopt=AbstractPlus

3. Connolly SJ, Milling TJ, Eikelboom JW et al. Andexanet alfa for acute major bleeding associated with factor Xa inhibitors. N Engl J Med. 2016; 375:1131-41. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27573206?dopt=AbstractPlus

4. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: Summary basis for regulatory action BL 125586/o. From FDA website. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/CellularGeneTherapyProducts/ApprovedProducts/UCM610006.pdf

5. Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. South San Francisco, CA: Personal communication.

6. Sartori M, Cosmi B. Andexanet alfa to reverse the anticoagulant activity of factor Xa inhibitors: a review of design, development and potential place in therapy. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2018; 45:345-352. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29372400?dopt=AbstractPlus

7. Nafee T, Aslam A, Chi G et al. Andexanet alfa for the reversal of anticoagulant activity in patients treated with direct and indirect factor Xa inhibitors. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2017; 15:237-245. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28282497?dopt=AbstractPlus

8. . Andexxa--an antidote for apixaban and rivaroxaban. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2018; 60:99-101. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29913471?dopt=AbstractPlus

9. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Application: Search Orphan Drug Designations and Approvals. Silver Spring, MD. From FDA website. Accessed 2019 Mar 13. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/opdlisting/oopd/listResult.cfm

10. Bristol-Myers Squibb. Eliquis (apixaban) tablets prescribing information. Princeton, NJ; 2018 Jun.

11. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Xarelto (rivaroxaban) tablets prescribing information. Titusville, NJ; 2019 Jan.

12. Siegal D, Lu G, Leeds JM et al. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and reversal of apixaban anticoagulation with andexanet alfa. Blood Adv. 2017; 1:1827-1838. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29296829?dopt=AbstractPlus

13. Ghadimi K, Dombrowski KE, Levy JH et al. Andexanet alfa for the reversal of factor Xa inhibitor related anticoagulation. Expert Rev Hematol. 2016; 9:115-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26686866?dopt=AbstractPlus

14. Connolly SJ, Crowther M, Eikelboom JW et al. Full Study Report of Andexanet Alfa for Bleeding Associated with Factor Xa Inhibitors. N Engl J Med. 2019; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30730782?dopt=AbstractPlus

15. Demchuk AM, Yue P, Zotova E et al. Hemostatic Efficacy and Anti-FXa (Factor Xa) Reversal With Andexanet Alfa in Intracranial Hemorrhage: ANNEXA-4 Substudy. Stroke. 2021; 52:2096-2105. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=PMC8140631&blobtype=pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33966491?dopt=AbstractPlus

25. Tomaselli GF, Mahaffey KW, Cuker A et al. 2020 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Management of Bleeding in Patients on Oral Anticoagulants: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020; 76:594-622. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32680646?dopt=AbstractPlus

26. Lip GYH, Banerjee A, Boriani G et al. Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report. Chest. 2018; 154:1121-1201. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30144419?dopt=AbstractPlus

27. January CT, Wann LS, Calkins H et al. 2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. Heart Rhythm. 2019; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30703530?dopt=AbstractPlus

28. Witt DM, Nieuwlaat R, Clark NP et al. American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: optimal management of anticoagulation therapy. Blood Adv. 2018; 2:3257-3291. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=PMC6258922&blobtype=pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30482765?dopt=AbstractPlus

34. Cuker A, Burnett A, Triller D et al. Reversal of direct oral anticoagulants: Guidance from the Anticoagulation Forum. Am J Hematol. 2019; 94:697-709. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30916798?dopt=AbstractPlus

35. Hornor MA, Duane TM, Ehlers AP et al. American College of Surgeons' Guidelines for the Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Medication. J Am Coll Surg. 2018; 227:521-536.e1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30145286?dopt=AbstractPlus