ARIXTRA 1.5mg / 0.3ml injection solution in pre-filled syringe medication leaflet

Arixtra 1.5 mg/0.3 ml solution for injection, pre-filled syringe.

Each pre-filled syringe (0.3 ml) contains 1.5 mg of fondaparinux sodium.

Excipient(s) with known effect: Contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per dose, and thereforeis essentially sodium free.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Solution for injection.

The solution is a clear and colourless liquid.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in adults undergoing major orthopaedic surgeryof the lower limbs such as hip fracture, major knee surgery or hip replacement surgery.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in adults undergoing abdominal surgery whoare judged to be at high risk of thromboembolic complications, such as patients undergoing abdominalcancer surgery (see section 5.1).

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in adult medical patients who are judged to beat high risk for VTE and who are immobilised due to acute illness such as cardiac insufficiency and/oracute respiratory disorders, and/or acute infectious or inflammatory disease.

Treatment of adults with acute symptomatic spontaneous superficial-vein thrombosis of the lowerlimbs without concomitant deep-vein thrombosis (see sections 4.2 and 5.1).

Patients undergoing major orthopaedic or abdominal surgery

The recommended dose of fondaparinux is 2.5 mg once daily administered post-operatively bysubcutaneous injection.

The initial dose should be given 6 hours following surgical closure provided that haemostasis has beenestablished.

Treatment should be continued until the risk of venous thrombo-embolism has diminished, usuallyuntil the patient is ambulant, at least 5 to 9 days after surgery. Experience shows that in patientsundergoing hip fracture surgery, the risk of VTE continues beyond 9 days after surgery. In thesepatients the use of prolonged prophylaxis with fondaparinux should be considered for up to anadditional 24 days (see section 5.1).

Medical patients who are at high risk for thromboembolic complications based on an individual riskassessment

The recommended dose of fondaparinux is 2.5 mg once daily administered by subcutaneous injection.

A treatment duration of 6-14 days has been clinically studied in medical patients (see section 5.1).

Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis

The recommended dose of fondaparinux is 2.5 mg once daily, administered by subcutaneous injection.

Patients eligible for fondaparinux 2.5 mg treatment should have acute, symptomatic, isolated,spontaneous superficial-vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, at least 5 cm long and documented byultrasonographic investigation or other objective methods. Treatment should be initiated as soon aspossible following diagnosis and after exclusion of concomitant DVT or superficial-vein thrombosiswithin 3 cm from the sapheno-femoral junction. Treatment should be continued for a minimum of 30days and up to a maximum of 45 days in patients at high risk of thromboembolic complications (seesections 4.4 and 5.1). Patients could be recommended to self-inject the product when they are judgedwilling and able to do so. Physicians should provide clear instructions for self-injection.

* Patients who are to undergo surgery or other invasive procedures

In superficial vein thrombosis patients who are to undergo surgery or other invasive procedures,fondaparinux, where possible, should not be given during the 24 hours before surgery.

Fondaparinux may be restarted at least 6 hours post-operatively provided haemostasis has beenachieved.

In patients undergoing surgery, timing of the first fondaparinux injection requires strict adherence inpatients ≥75 years, and/or with body weight <50 kg and/or with renal impairment with creatinineclearance ranging between 20 to 50 ml/min.

The first fondaparinux administration should be given not earlier than 6 hours following surgicalclosure. The injection should not be given unless haemostasis has been established (see section 4.4).

* Prevention of VTE - Fondaparinux should not be used in patients with creatinine clearance <20ml/min (see section 4.3). The dose should be reduced to 1.5 mg once daily in patients withcreatinine clearance in the range of 20 to 50 ml/min (see sections 4.4 and 5.2). No dosagereduction is required for patients with mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance >50ml/min).

* Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis - Fondaparinux should not be used in patients withcreatinine clearance <20 ml/min (see section 4.3). The dose should be reduced to 1.5 mg oncedaily in patients with creatinine clearance in the range of 20 to 50 ml/min (see sections 4.4 and5.2). No dosage reduction is required for patients with mild renal impairment (creatinineclearance >50 ml/min). The safety and efficacy of 1.5 mg has not been studied (see section4.4.)

* Prevention of VTE - No dosing adjustment is necessary in patients with either mild ormoderate hepatic impairment. In patients with severe hepatic impairment, fondaparinuxshould be used with care as this patient group has not been studied (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).

* Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis - The safety and efficacy of fondaparinux in patientswith severe hepatic impairment has not been studied, therefore fondaparinux is notrecommended for use in these patients (see section 4.4).

Paediatric population - Fondaparinux is not recommended for use in children below 17 years of agedue to a lack of data on safety and efficacy.

Low body weight

* Prevention of VTE - Patients with body weight <50 kg are at increased risk of bleeding.

Elimination of fondaparinux decreases with weight. Fondaparinux should be used with cautionin these patients (see section 4.4).

* Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis - The safety and efficacy of fondaparinux in patientswith body weight less than 50 kg has not been studied, therefore fondaparinux is notrecommended for use in these patients (see section 4.4).

Fondaparinux is administered by deep subcutaneous injection while the patient is lying down. Sites ofadministration should alternate between the left and the right anterolateral and left and rightposterolateral abdominal wall. To avoid the loss of medicinal product when using the pre-filledsyringe do not expel the air bubble from the syringe before the injection. The whole length of theneedle should be inserted perpendicularly into a skin fold held between the thumb and the forefinger;the skin fold should be held throughout the injection.

For additional instructions for use and handling and disposal see section 6.6.

- hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1

- active clinically significant bleeding

- acute bacterial endocarditis

- severe renal impairment defined by creatinine clearance < 20 ml/min.

Fondaparinux is intended for subcutaneous use only. Do not administer intramuscularly.

Fondaparinux should be used with caution in patients who have an increased risk of haemorrhage,such as those with congenital or acquired bleeding disorders (e.g. platelet count <50,000/mm3), activeulcerative gastrointestinal disease and recent intracranial haemorrhage or shortly after brain, spinal orophthalmic surgery and in special patient groups as outlined below.

* For prevention of VTE - Agents that may enhance the risk of haemorrhage should not beadministered concomitantly with fondaparinux. These agents include desirudin, fibrinolyticagents, GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, heparin, heparinoids, or Low Molecular Weight

Heparin (LMWH). When required, concomitant therapy with vitamin K antagonist should beadministered in accordance with the information of Section 4.5. Other antiplatelet medicinalproducts (acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole, sulfinpyrazone, ticlopidine or clopidogrel), and

NSAIDs should be used with caution. If co-administration is essential, close monitoring isnecessary.

* For treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis- Fondaparinux should be used with caution inpatients who are being treated concomitantly with other medicinal products that increase therisk of haemorrhage.

Patients with superficial-vein thrombosis

Presence of superficial-vein thrombosis greater than 3 cm from the sapheno-femoral junction shouldbe confirmed and concomitant DVT should be excluded by compression ultrasound or objectivemethods prior to initiating treatment with fondaparinux. There are no data regarding the use offondaparinux 2.5 mg in superficial-vein thrombosis patients with concomitant DVT or withsuperficial-vein thrombosis within 3 cm of the sapheno-femoral junction (see section 4.2 and 5.1).

The safety and efficacy of fondaparinux 2.5 mg has not been studied in the following groups: patientswith superficial-vein thrombosis following sclerotherapy or resulting as a complication of anintravenous line, patients with history of superficial-vein thrombosis within the previous 3 months,patients with history of venous thromboembolic disease within the previous 6 months, or patients withactive cancer (see section 4.2 and 5.1).

Spinal/Epidural anaesthesia

In patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery, epidural or spinal haematomas that may result inlong-term or permanent paralysis cannot be excluded with the concurrent use of fondaparinux andspinal/epidural anaesthesia or spinal puncture. The risk of these rare events may be higher with post-operative use of indwelling epidural catheters or the concomitant use of other medicinal productsaffecting haemostasis.

The elderly population is at increased risk of bleeding. As renal function is generally decreasing withage, elderly patients may show reduced elimination and increased exposure of fondaparinux (seesection 5.2). Fondaparinux should be used with caution in elderly patients (see section 4.2).

Low body weight

* Prevention of VTE - Patients with body weight <50 kg are at increased risk of bleeding.

Elimination of fondaparinux decreases with weight. Fondaparinux should be used with cautionin these patients (see section 4.2).

* Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis - There are no clinical data available for the use offondaparinux for the treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis in patients with body weight lessthan 50kg. Therefore, fondaparinux is not recommended for treatment of superficial-veinthrombosis in these patients (see section 4.2).

* Prevention of VTE - Fondaparinux is known to be mainly excreted by the kidney. Patientswith creatinine clearance <50 ml/min are at increased risk of bleeding and VTE and should betreated with caution (see sections 4.2, pct. 4.3 and 5.2). There are limited clinical data availablefrom patients with creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min.

* Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis - Fondaparinux should not be used in patients withcreatinine clearance <20 ml/min (see section 4.3). The dose should be reduced to 1.5 mg oncedaily in patients with creatinine clearance in the range of 20 to 50 ml/min (see sections 4.2 and5.2). The safety and efficacy of 1.5 mg has not been studied.

* Prevention of VTE - Dosing adjustment of fondaparinux is not necessary. However, the use offondaparinux should be considered with caution because of an increased risk of bleeding dueto a deficiency of coagulation factors in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section4.2).

* Treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis - There are no clinical data available for the use offondaparinux for the treatment of superficial-vein thrombosis in patients with severe hepaticimpairment. Therefore, fondaparinux is not recommended for the treatment of superficial-veinthrombosis in these patients (see section 4.2).

Patients with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia

Fondaparinux should be used with caution in patients with a history of HIT. The efficacy and safety offondaparinux have not been formally studied in patients with HIT type II. Fondaparinux does not bindto platelet factor 4 and does not usually cross-react with sera from patients with Heparin Induced

Thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II. However, rare spontaneous reports of HIT in patients treated withfondaparinux have been received.

Latex Allergy

The needle shield of the pre-filled syringe contains dry natural latex rubber that has the potential tocause allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals.

Bleeding risk is increased with concomitant administration of fondaparinux and agents that mayenhance the risk of haemorrhage (see section 4.4).

Oral anticoagulants (warfarin), platelet inhibitors (acetylsalicylic acid), NSAIDs (piroxicam) anddigoxin did not interact with the pharmacokinetics of fondaparinux. The fondaparinux dose (10 mg) inthe interaction studies was higher than the dose recommended for the present indications.

Fondaparinux neither influenced the INR activity of warfarin, nor the bleeding time underacetylsalicylic acid or piroxicam treatment, nor the pharmacokinetics of digoxin at steady state.

Follow-up therapy with another anticoagulant medicinal product

If follow-up treatment is to be initiated with heparin or LMWH, the first injection should, as a generalrule, be given one day after the last fondaparinux injection.

If follow up treatment with a Vitamin K antagonist is required, treatment with fondaparinux should becontinued until the target INR value has been reached.

There are no adequate data from the use of fondaparinux in pregnant women. Animal studies areinsufficient with respect to effects on pregnancy, embryo/foetal development, parturition and postnataldevelopment because of limited exposure. Fondaparinux should not be prescribed to pregnant womenunless clearly necessary.

Fondaparinux is excreted in rat milk but it is not known whether fondaparinux is excreted in humanmilk. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with fondaparinux. Oral absorption by thechild is however unlikely.

There are no data available on the effect of fondaparinux on human fertility. Animal studies do notshow any effect on fertility.

No studies on the effect on the ability to drive and to use machines have been performed.

The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions reported with fondaparinux are bleedingcomplications (various sites including rare cases of intracranial/ intracerebral and retroperitonealbleedings) and anaemia. Fondaparinux should be used with caution in patients who have an increasedrisk of haemorrhage (see section 4.4).

The safety of fondaparinux has been evaluated in:

- 3,595 patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery of the lower limbs treated up to 9 days(Arixtra 1.5 mg/0.3 ml and Arixtra 2.5 mg/0.5 ml)

- 327 patients undergoing hip fracture surgery treated for 3 weeks following an initial prophylaxisof 1 week (Arixtra 1.5 mg/0.3 ml and Arixtra 2.5 mg/0.5 ml)

- 1,407 patients undergoing abdominal surgery treated up to 9 days (Arixtra 1.5 mg/0.3 ml and

Arixtra 2.5 mg/0.5 ml)

- 425 medical patients who are at risk for thromboembolic complications treated up to 14 days(Arixtra 1.5 mg/0.3 ml and Arixtra 2.5 mg/0.5 ml)

- 10,057 patients undergoing treatment of UA or NSTEMI ACS (Arixtra 2.5 mg/0.5 ml)

- 6,036 patients undergoing treatment of STEMI ACS (Arixtra 2.5 mg/0.5 ml)

- 2,517 patients treated for Venous Thrombo-Embolism and treated with fondaparinux for anaverage of 7 days (Arixtra 5 mg/0.4 ml, Arixtra 7.5 mg/0.6 ml and Arixtra 10 mg/0.8 ml).

These adverse reactions should be interpreted within the surgical or medical context of the indications.

The adverse event profile reported in the ACS program is consistent with the adverse drug reactionsidentified for VTE prophylaxis.

Adverse reactions are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as:very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100, <1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000, <1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000,<1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000).

System organ common uncommon rareclass (≥ 1/100, <1/10) (≥ 1/1,000, <1/100) (≥ 1/10,000, <1/1,000)

MedDRA

Infections and post-operative wound infectionsinfestations

Blood and anaemia, post- thrombocytopenia, retroperitoneal bleeding*, hepatic,lymphatic system operative thrombocythaemia, intracranial/ intracerebral bleeding*disorders haemorrhage, platelet abnormal,utero-vaginal coagulation disorderhaemorrhage*,haemoptysis,haematuria,haematoma,gingival bleeding,purpura, epistaxis,gastrointestinalbleeding,hemarthrosis*,ocular bleeding*,bruise*

Immune system allergic reaction (including very raredisorders reports of angioedema, anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reaction)

Metabolism and hypokalaemia, non-protein-nitrogennutrition (Npn) increased1*disorders

Nervous system headache anxiety, confusion, dizziness,disorders somnolence, vertigo

Vascular hypotensiondisorders

Respiratory, dyspnoea coughingthoracic andmediastinaldisorders

Gastrointestinal nausea, vomiting abdominal pain, dyspepsia, gastritis,disorders constipation, diarrhoea

System organ common uncommon rareclass (≥ 1/100, <1/10) (≥ 1/1,000, <1/100) (≥ 1/10,000, <1/1,000)

MedDRA

Hepatobiliary abnormal liver bilirubinaemiadisorders function tests, hepaticenzymes increased

Skin and rash erythematous,subcutaneous pruritustissue disorders

General oedema, oedema reaction at injection site, leg pain, fatigue,disorders and peripheral, pain, flushing, syncope, hot flushes, oedemaadministration fever, chest pain, genitalsite conditions wound secretion(1) Npn stands for non-protein-nitrogen such as urea, uric acid, amino acid, etc.

* ADRs occurred at higher doses 5 mg/0.4 ml, 7.5 mg/0.6 ml and 10 mg/0.8 ml.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. Itallows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcareprofessionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting systemlisted in Appendix V.

Fondaparinux doses above the recommended regimen may lead to an increased risk of bleeding. Thereis no known antidote to fondaparinux.

Overdose associated with bleeding complications should lead to treatment discontinuation and searchfor the primary cause. Initiation of appropriate therapy such as surgical haemostasis, bloodreplacements, fresh plasma transfusion, plasmapheresis should be considered.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: antithrombotic agents.

ATC code: B01AX05

Fondaparinux is a synthetic and selective inhibitor of activated Factor X (Xa). The antithromboticactivity of fondaparinux is the result of antithrombin III (ATIII) mediated selective inhibition of Factor

Xa. By binding selectively to ATIII, fondaparinux potentiates (about 300 times) the innateneutralization of Factor Xa by ATIII. Neutralisation of Factor Xa interrupts the blood coagulationcascade and inhibits both thrombin formation and thrombus development. Fondaparinux does notinactivate thrombin (activated Factor II) and has no effects on platelets.

At the 2.5 mg dose, fondaparinux does not affect routine coagulation tests such as activated partialthromboplastin time (aPTT), activated clotting time (ACT) or prothrombin time (PT)/International

Normalised Ratio (INR) tests in plasma nor bleeding time or fibrinolytic activity. However, rarespontaneous reports of aPTT prolongation have been received.

Fondaparinux does not usually cross-react with sera from patients with heparin-inducedthrombocytopaenia (HIT). However, rare spontaneous reports of HIT in patients treated withfondaparinux have been received.

Clinical studies

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in patients undergoing major orthopaedicsurgery of the lower limbs treated up to 9 days

The fondaparinux clinical program was designed to demonstrate the efficacy of fondaparinux for theprevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), i.e. proximal and distal deep vein thrombosis(DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery of the lowerlimbs such as hip fracture, major knee surgery or hip replacement surgery. Over 8,000 patients (hipfracture - 1,711, hip replacement - 5,829, major knee surgery - 1,367) were studied in controlled

Phase II and III clinical studies. Fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily started 6-8 hours postoperatively wascompared with enoxaparin 40 mg once daily started 12 hours before surgery, or 30 mg twice dailystarted 12-24 hours after surgery.

In a pooled analysis of these studies, the recommended dose regimen of fondaparinux versusenoxaparin was associated with a significant decrease (54% [95% CI, 44 %; 63%]) in the rate of VTEevaluated up to day 11 after surgery, irrespective of the type of surgery performed. The majority ofendpoint events were diagnosed by a prescheduled venography and consisted mainly of distal DVT,but the incidence of proximal DVT was also significantly reduced. The incidence of symptomatic

VTE, including PE was not significantly different between treatment groups.

In studies versus enoxaparin 40 mg once daily started 12 hours before surgery, major bleeding wasobserved in 2.8% of fondaparinux patients treated with the recommended dose, compared to 2.6%with enoxaparin.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in patients undergoing hip fracturesurgery treated for up to 24 days following an initial prophylaxis of 1 week

In a randomised double-blind clinical trial, 737 patients were treated with fondaparinux 2.5 mg oncedaily for 7 +/- 1 days following hip fracture surgery. At the end of this period, 656 patients wererandomised to receive fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily or placebo for an additional 21 +/- 2 days.

Fondaparinux provided a significant reduction in the overall rate of VTE compared with placebo [3patients (1.4%) vs 77 patients (35%), respectively]. The majority (70/80) of the recorded VTE eventswere venographically detected non-symptomatic cases of DVT. Fondaparinux also provided asignificant reduction in the rate of symptomatic VTE (DVT, and/or PE) [1 (0.3%) vs 9 (2.7%)patients, respectively] including two fatal PE reported in the placebo group. Major bleedings, all atsurgical site and none fatal, were observed in 8 patients (2.4%) treated with fondaparinux 2.5 mgcompared to 2 (0.6%) with placebo.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in patients undergoing abdominal surgerywho are judged to be at high risk of thromboembolic complications, such as patients undergoingabdominal cancer surgery

In a double-blind clinical study, 2,927 patients were randomised to receive fondaparinux 2.5mg oncedaily or dalteparin 5,000 IU once daily, with one 2,500 IU preoperative injection and a first 2,500 IUpost-operative injection, for 7+2 days. The main sites of surgery were colonic/rectal, gastric, hepatic,cholecystectomy or other biliary. Sixty-nine percent of the patients underwent surgery for cancer.

Patients under-going urological (other than kidney) or gynaecological surgery, laparoscopic surgery orvascular surgery were not included in the study.

In this study, the incidence of total VTE was 4.6% (47/1,027) with fondaparinux, versus 6.1%:(62/1,021) with dalteparin: odds ratio reduction [95%CI] = -25.8% [-49.7%, 9.5%]. The difference intotal VTE rates between the treatment groups, which was not statistically significant, was mainly dueto a reduction of asymptomatic distal DVT. The incidence of symptomatic DVT was similar betweentreatment groups: 6 patients (0.4%) in the fondaparinux group vs 5 patients (0.3%) in the dalteparingroup. In the large subgroup of patients undergoing cancer surgery (69% of the patient population),the VTE rate was 4.7% in the fondaparinux group, versus 7.7% in the dalteparin group.

Major bleeding was observed in 3.4% of the patients in the fondaparinux group and in 2.4% of thedalteparin group.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Events (VTE) in medical patients who are at high riskfor thromboembolic complications due to restricted mobility during acute illness

In a randomised double-blind clinical trial, 839 patients were treated with fondaparinux 2.5 mg oncedaily or placebo for 6 to 14 days. This study included acutely ill medical patients, aged ≥ 60 years,expected to require bed rest for at least four days, and hospitalized for congestive heart failure NYHAclass III/IV and/or acute respiratory illness and/or acute infectious or inflammatory disease.

Fondaparinux significantly reduced the overall rate of VTE compared to placebo [18 patients (5.6%)vs 34 patients (10.5%), respectively]. The majority of events were asymptomatic distal DVT.

Fondaparinux also significantly reduced the rate of adjudicated fatal PE [0 patients (0.0%) vs 5patients (1.2%), respectively]. Major bleedings were observed in 1 patient (0.2%) of each group.

Treatment of patients with acute symptomatic spontaneous superficial-vein thrombosis withoutconcomitant Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A randomised, double blind, clinical trial (CALISTO) included 3002 patients with acute symptomaticisolated, spontaneous superficial-vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, at least 5 cm long, confirmed bycompression ultrasonography. Patients were not included if they had concomitant DVT or superficial-vein thrombosis within 3 cm of the sapheno-femoral junction. Patients were excluded if they hadsevere hepatic impairment, severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30ml/min), low bodyweight (<50kg), active cancer, symptomatic PE or a recent history of DVT/PE (<6 months) orsuperficial-vein thrombosis (<90 days), or superficial-vein thrombosis associated with sclerotherapy ora complication of an IV line, or they were at high risk of bleeding.

Patients were randomised to receive fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily or placebo for 45 days in additionto elastic stockings, analgesic and/or topical NSAIDS anti-inflammatory drugs. Follow-up continuedup to Day 77. The study population was 64% female, with a median age of 58 years, pct. 4.4% had acreatinine clearance <50ml/min.

The primary efficacy outcome, a composite of symptomatic PE, symptomatic DVT, symptomaticsuperficial-vein thrombosis extension, symptomatic superficial-vein thrombosis reoccurrence, or

Death up to Day 47, was significantly reduced from 5.9% in placebo patients to 0.9% in thosereceiving fondaparinux 2.5 mg (relative risk reduction: 85.2%; 95% CIs, 73.7% to 91.7% [p<0.001]).

The incidence of each thromboembolic component of the primary outcome was also significantlyreduced in fondaparinux patients as follows: symptomatic PE [0 (0%) vs 5 (0.3%) (p=0.031)],symptomatic DVT [3 (0.2%) vs 18 (1.2%); relative risk reduction 83.4% (p<0.001)], symptomaticsuperficial-vein thrombosis extension [4 (0.3%) vs 51 (3.4%); relative risk reduction 92.2%(p<0.001)], symptomatic superficial-vein thrombosis reoccurrence [5 (0.3%) vs 24 (1.6%); relativerisk reduction 79.2% (p<0.001)].

The mortality rates were low and similar between the treatments groups with 2 (0.1%) deaths in thefondaparinux group versus 1 (0.1%) death in the placebo group.

Efficacy was maintained up to Day 77 and was consistent across all predefined subgroups includingpatients with varicose veins and patients with superficial-vein thrombosis located below the knee.

Major bleeding during treatment occurred in 1 (0.1%) fondaparinux patient and in 1 (0.1%) placebopatient. Clinically relevant non major bleeding occurred in 5 (0.3%) fondaparinux patients and 8(0.5%) placebo patients.

After subcutaneous dosing, fondaparinux is completely and rapidly absorbed (absolute bioavailability100%). Following a single subcutaneous injection of fondaparinux 2.5 mg to young healthy subjects,peak plasma concentration (mean Cmax = 0.34 mg/l) is obtained 2 hours post-dosing. Plasmaconcentrations of half the mean Cmax values are reached 25 minutes post-dosing.

In elderly healthy subjects, pharmacokinetics of fondaparinux are linear in the range of 2 to 8 mg bysubcutaneous route. Following once daily dosing, steady state of plasma levels is obtained after 3 to 4days with a 1.3-fold increase in Cmax and AUC.

Mean (CV%) steady state pharmacokinetic parameters estimates of fondaparinux in patientsundergoing hip replacement surgery receiving fondaparinux 2.5 mg once daily are: Cmax (mg/l) - 0.39(31%), Tmax (h) - 2.8 (18%) and Cmin (mg/l) -0.14 (56%). In hip fracture patients, associated with theirincreased age, fondaparinux steady state plasma concentrations are: Cmax (mg/l) - 0.50 (32%), Cmin(mg/l) - 0.19 (58%).

The distribution volume of fondaparinux is limited (7-11 litres). In vitro, fondaparinux is highly andspecifically bound to antithrombin protein with a dose-dependant plasma concentration binding(98.6% to 97.0% in the concentration range from 0.5 to 2 mg/l). Fondaparinux does not bindsignificantly to other plasma proteins, including platelet factor 4 (PF4).

Since fondaparinux does not bind significantly to plasma proteins other than ATIII, no interaction withother medicinal products by protein binding displacement are expected.

Although not fully evaluated, there is no evidence of fondaparinux metabolism and in particular noevidence for the formation of active metabolites.

Fondaparinux does not inhibit CYP450s (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1or CYP3A4) in vitro. Thus, fondaparinux is not expected to interact with other medicinal products invivo by inhibition of CYP-mediated metabolism.

The elimination half-life (t½) is about 17 hours in healthy young subjects and about 21 hours in healthyelderly subjects. Fondaparinux is excreted to 64 - 77 % by the kidney as unchanged compound.

Paediatric patients - Fondaparinux has not been investigated in this population for the prevention of

VTE or for the treatment of superficial vein thrombosis.

Elderly patients - Renal function may decrease with age and thus, the elimination capacity forfondaparinux may be reduced in elderly. In patients >75 years undergoing orthopaedic surgery, theestimated plasma clearance was 1.2 to 1.4 times lower than in patients <65 years.

Renal impairment - Compared with patients with normal renal function (creatinine clearance > 80ml/min), plasma clearance is 1.2 to 1.4 times lower in patients with mild renal impairment (creatinineclearance 50 to 80 ml/min) and on average 2 times lower in patients with moderate renal impairment(creatinine clearance 30 to 50 ml/min). In severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min),plasma clearance is approximately 5 times lower than in normal renal function. Associated terminalhalf-life values were 29 h in moderate and 72 h in patients with severe renal impairment.

Gender - No gender differences were observed after adjustment for body weight.

Race - Pharmacokinetic differences due to race have not been studied prospectively. However, studiesperformed in Asian (Japanese) healthy subjects did not reveal a different pharmacokinetic profilecompared to Caucasian healthy subjects. Similarly, no plasma clearance differences were observedbetween black and Caucasian patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

Body weight - Plasma clearance of fondaparinux increases with body weight (9% increase per 10 kg).

Hepatic impairment - Following a single, subcutaneous dose of fondaparinux in subjects withmoderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Category B), total (i.e., bound and unbound) Cmax and AUCwere decreased by 22% and 39%, respectively, as compared to subjects with normal liver function.

The lower plasma concentrations of fondaparinux were attributed to reduced binding to ATIIIsecondary to the lower ATIII plasma concentrations in subjects with hepatic impairment therebyresulting in increased renal clearance of fondaparinux. Consequently, unbound concentrations offondaparinux are expected to be unchanged in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, andtherefore, no dose adjustment is necessary based on pharmacokinetics.

The pharmacokinetics of fondaparinux has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment(see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safetypharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, and genotoxicity. Animal studies are insufficient with respect toeffects on toxicity to reproduction because of limited exposure.

Sodium chloride

Water for injections

Hydrochloric acid

Sodium hydroxide

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinalproducts.

3 years.

Store below 25°C. Do not freeze.

Type I glass barrel (1 ml) affixed with a 27 gauge x 12.7 mm needle and stoppered with a bromobutylor chlorobutyl elastomer plunger stopper.

Arixtra is available in pack sizes of 2, 7, 10 and 20 pre-filled syringes. There are two types of syringes:

* syringe with a yellow plunger and an automatic safety system

* syringe with yellow plunger and a manual safety system.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

The subcutaneous injection is administered in the same way as with a classical syringe.

Parenteral solutions should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior toadministration.

Instruction for self-administration is mentioned in the Package Leaflet.

The needle protection system of the Arixtra pre-filled syringes have been designed with a safety systemto protect from needle stick injuries following injection.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with localrequirements.

Viatris Healthcare Limited

Damastown Industrial Park,

Mulhuddart

Dublin 15,

DUBLIN

Ireland

EU/1/02/206/005-008

EU/1/02/206/024

EU/1/02/206/025

EU/1/02/206/026

Date of first authorisation: 21 March 2002

Date of latest renewal: 21 March 2007

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines

Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu