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Fondaparinux Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Arixtra, Arixtra 10 mg/dose, Arixtra 5 mg/dose, Arixtra 7.5 mg/dose

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 5, 2024.

Fondaparinux Pregnancy Warnings

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

AU TGA pregnancy category: C
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Risk Summary: No clear association between this drug and adverse developmental outcomes has been established.

Comments:
-If this drug is used during pregnancy, use of a shorter acting anticoagulant should be considered as delivery approaches.
-Use of this drug during labor or delivery in women receiving neuraxial anesthesia may result in epidural or spinal hematomas.

Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of adverse developmental outcomes. In a study of 5 pregnant women treated with this drug (2.5 mg/day) during the third trimester, 4 of the women had elevated anti-factor Xa clotting times (37.5 to 50.9 seconds) in the cord blood (the patient who did not have elevated anti-factor Xa activity received only one dose of this drug 22 hours prior to delivery). The concentration of this drug in umbilical cord plasma was approximately 10% of the level in maternal plasma. None of the infants experienced adverse effects.

AU TGA pregnancy category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

See references

Fondaparinux Breastfeeding Warnings

Use is not recommended. According to some authorities, this drug may be used only if clearly needed and the benefit outweighs the risk.

Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Yes

See references

References for pregnancy information

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Arixtra (fondaparinux)." Organon
  2. Lagrange F, Brun JL, Vergnes MC, et al. (2002) "Fondaparinux sodium does not cross the placental barrier: study using the in-vitro human dually perfused cotyledon model." Clin Pharmacokinet, 41 Suppl 2, p. 47-9
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

References for breastfeeding information

  1. (2002) "Product Information. Arixtra (fondaparinux)." Organon
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.