Bevyxxa : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

IMPORTANT WARNING:
If you receive spinal or epidural anesthesia or a lumbar puncture while taking a ‘blood thinner’ such as Bevyxxa, you run the risk of a blood clot forming in or around your spine that could cause paralysis. Tell your doctor if you have an epidural catheter in your body or if you have or have ever had repeat epidural or spinal punctures, spinal deformity, or spinal surgery. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking amiodarone (Pacerone, Nexterone); anagrelide (Agrylin); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex), ketoprofen, and naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, others); azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax); cilostazol (Pletal); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); clopidogrel (Plavix); dipyridamole (Persantine); eptifibatide (Integrilin); heparin; ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina); prasugrel (Effient); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), luvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdellexe), Pavaxillexe and sertraline (Zoloft); and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), milnacipran (Savella), and venlafaxine (Effexor); ticagrelor (Brilinta); ticlopidine; tirofiban (Aggrastat); Verapamil (Verelan, Calan); and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: back pain, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling (especially in the legs and feet), loss of bowel or bladder control, or inability to move your legs .

Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you start treatment with Bevyxxa and each time you get a refill. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.

Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking Bevyxxa.

Why is this medication prescribed?
Bevyxxa (Betrixaban) is used to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT; a blood clot, usually in the leg) and pulmonary embolism (PE; a blood clot in the lung) in people who are hospitalized for serious illness and are at risk of develop a clot due to decreased ability to move or other risk factors. Bevyxxa is in a class of medications called factor Xa inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance that helps blood clots form.

How should this medicine be used?
Bevyxxa (Betrixaban) comes as capsules to take by mouth. It is usually taken with food once a day for 35 to 42 days. Take Bevyxxa at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Bevyxxa exactly as directed. Do not take more or less or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Keep taking Bevyxxa even if you feel fine. Do not stop taking Bevyxxa without consulting your doctor. If you stop taking Bevyxxa, your risk of having a blood clot may increase.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking Bevyxxa,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Bevyxxa, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Bevyxxa capsules. Ask your pharmacist or see the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and over-the-counter medications and vitamins you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, Rifater). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects. Many other medications can also interact with Bevyxxa, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
  • Tell your doctor what nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking, especially products that contain St. John’s wort. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take St. John’s wort while you are taking bextrixaban.
  • Tell your doctor if you have bleeding from any part of your body that cannot be stopped. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take Bevyxxa.
  • Tell your doctor if you have an artificial heart valve and if you have or have ever had any type of bleeding problem or liver or kidney disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Bevyxxa, call your doctor.
  • If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Bevyxxa.
  • Call your doctor right away if you fall or hurt yourself, especially if you hit your head. Your doctor may need to examine you.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember the same day. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Bevyxxa may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • frequent or painful urination

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop taking Bevyxxa and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • bleeding gums
  • frequent nosebleeds
  • menstrual bleeding that is heavier than normal
  • red, pink, or brown urine
  • red or black, tarry stools
  • coughing up blood or blood clots
  • vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
  • unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
  • headache
  • dizziness or weakness

Bevyxxa prevents blood from clotting normally, so it may take longer than normal to stop bleeding if you cut or injure yourself. This medicine may also make you bruise or bleed more easily. Call your doctor right away if bleeding or bruising is unusual, severe, or cannot be controlled.

Bevyxxa may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

  • bleeding

What other information should I know?
Keep all your appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Bevyxxa®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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