Fondaparinux Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 30, 2024.

Applies to fondaparinux: subcutaneous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Fondaparinux may cause bleeding problems. This risk is higher if you have a catheter in your back for pain medicine or anesthesia (sometimes called an "epidural"), or if you have kidney problems. The risk of bleeding increases if your kidney problems get worse. Check with your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, bleeding gums, blood in the urine or stools, tingling, numbness, or weakness of the lower legs, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.

You may bleed or bruise more easily while you are using this medicine. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers. Avoid nose picking and forceful nose blowing.

Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using fondaparinux several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Also, tell your doctor if you have received fondaparinux or heparin before and had a reaction called thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood), or if new blood clots formed while you were receiving the medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of having spinal or epidural blood clots when it is used together with certain other medicines or procedures. Check with your doctor right away if you have midline back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet, or loss of control of the bowel or bladder (incontinence).

The needle guard of the prefilled syringe of this medicine contains dry natural latex rubber. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies with latex or rubber.

Check with your doctor before you start or stop taking any other medicine, or change the amount you are taking. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines, and herbal or vitamin supplements. Many medicines change the way this medicine affects your body.

Serious side effects of fondaparinux

Along with its needed effects, fondaparinux may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fondaparinux:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking fondaparinux:

Symptoms of overdose

• abdominal or stomach pain or swelling
• bruising or purple areas on the skin
• coughing up blood
• decreased alertness
• headache
• joint pain or swelling
• nosebleeds

Other side effects of fondaparinux

Some side effects of fondaparinux may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to fondaparinux: subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were bleeding events.

The most serious adverse events were bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (19.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Post-operative hemorrhage, major bleeding, minor bleeding, moderate thrombocytopenia, non-fatal major bleeding at surgical site, overt bleeding associated with a bleeding index of 2 or greater, prothrombin decreased, other clinically overt bleeding, bleeding
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Reoperation due to bleeding, non-fatal major bleeding at non-surgical site, severe thrombocytopenia, fatal bleeding, intracranial bleeding, thrombocythemia, abnormal platelets, coagulation disorder
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertensive encephalopathy with intracranial bleeding, minor gastrointestinal bleeding
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia with thrombosis, aPTT elevation, intracerebral bleeding, retroperitoneal bleeding^[Ref]

The majority of major bleeding events occurred during the first 4 days after surgery. Major bleeding incidence increased in patients weighing less than 50 kg and in patients with impaired renal function.^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (13.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, post-operative wound infection, wound drainage increased, surgical site reaction, pain, chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema peripheral, wound secretion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hot flushes^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (11.3%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Gastritis^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Hematoma, bruising
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Injection site reaction
• Frequency not reported: Local irritation (injection site bleeding, rash, pruritus)^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increases in ALT, increases in AST
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic function abnormal, hepatic enzymes increased
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bilirubinemia
• Frequency not reported: Increases in bilirubin^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, hypertension^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, purpura, bullous eruption (includes localized blister)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Flushing^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Somnolence, vertigo, fatigue, syncope
• Postmarketing reports: Spinal or epidural hematoma^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, urinary retention
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Edema genital^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Leg pain, back pain^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, confusion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, coughing, epistaxis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dyspnea^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic reaction
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angioedema, anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reaction
• Postmarketing reports: Serious allergic reactions^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Fondaparinux side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer