fondaparinux
Meaning of fondaparinux: Fondaparinux is a synthetic anticoagulant used to prevent and treat blood clots by blocking a specific clotting factor.
Definition of fondaparinux
Fondaparinux is a synthetic anticoagulant medication used to prevent and treat blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. It belongs to a class of drugs that selectively inhibit factor Xa, a protein in the blood clotting cascade, thereby reducing the blood's tendency to form clots without directly affecting the other clotting factors.
Fondaparinux is commonly used to prevent blood clots in people at increased risk, including patients recovering from certain surgeries, such as hip or knee replacement, and patients with reduced mobility due to illness or hospitalization. It is given by injection under the skin rather than taken by mouth.
Because fondaparinux is a synthetic molecule built to mimic a small, specific portion of the natural anticoagulant heparin, it carries a different structure and side effect profile than heparin itself, including a lower likelihood of a serious immune reaction that can occur with heparin.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
Fondaparinux was given by injection to prevent blood clots following the patient's hip replacement surgery.
Good to know
Fondaparinux selectively targets factor Xa rather than acting broadly on the clotting cascade the way heparin does, a difference that affects both its side effect profile and how its effects are addressed if needed.