Information about Betrixaban

Generic Name : Betrixaban
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Betrixaban are provided here.

Pronunciation : be-TRIX-a-ban

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Betrixaban, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.

You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.

Therapeutic Classification : Anticoagulants / Antithrombotics

Trade Names/Brand Names of Betrixaban

India :

Bevyxxa

Overview of Betrixaban

• Betrixaban is an orally active anticoagulant drug which was approved by FDA to prevent venous thromboembolism in adult patients who are critically ill.

Why is Betrixaban Prescribed? (Indications)

• Betrixaban is prescribed to prevent venous thromboembolism in adult patients who are hospitalized for an acute illness and are at a greater risk of developing a clot due to the restricted mobility or any thromboembolic related risk factors. Betrixaban has not been studied in patients with prosthetic heart valves.
• Betrixaban inhibits the factor Xa which is important for the clotting of blood. It is therefore used to thin the blood so as to avoid the formation of clots by interfering with the mechanism of blood coagulation.

When should Betrixaban not be taken? (Contraindications)

Betrixaban is not recommended in patients with-

• Hypersensitivity or allergic to betrixaban
• Complaints of active pathological bleeding
• Children under 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established in these groups
• Liver impairment, since betrixaban has not been evaluated in these patients and there is a possible increased risk of bleeding

What is the dosage of Betrixaban?

• The recommended daily adult dose of betrixaban is 160 mg initially as a single dose which is followed by 80 mg once daily for a total time period of about 35 to 42 days.

How should Betrixaban be taken?

• Betrixaban comes in a capsule form which should be taken by mouth with food.
• The capsules have to be taken at the same time each day exactly as directed by the physician.
• In case of a missed dose, the capsule has to be taken as soon as possible on the same day. If not taken on the same day, take the next dose on the following day skipping the missed dose.
• Do not double the dose in case of a missed dose.

What are the warnings and precautions for Betrixaban?

• Patients should be monitored for the signs and symptoms of blood loss (blood in stools or urine, coughing up or vomiting blood) as betrixaban increases the risk of bleeding leading to fatal bleeding.

• Patients undergoing spinal procedures are at a risk of developing clots in the spine. So, the patients should be assessed for the signs and symptoms of neurological impairment like numbness of the legs or dysfunction of bladder or bowel.

• The dose of betrixaban should be reduced in patients with severe kidney disease or patients taking P-glycoprotein inhibitors such as erythromycin or clarithromycin. These patients should be evaluated regularly for any signs of blood loss.

What are the side effects of Betrixaban?

Common: Epistaxis (bleeding from the nose), hematuria (blood in the urine), bleeding of gums, bleeding from the digestive tract
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, diarrhea or constipation
Cardiovascular: Increased blood pressure, possible prolongation of QTc interval (an alteration in the electrical activity of the heart)
Central nervous system: Headache, dizziness, feeling of confusion, weakness or tiredness, intracranial hemorrhage or bleeding, spinal or epidural clot in patients undergoing spinal procedures
Others: Pain in the joints, low levels of potassium in blood, urinary tract infection, bleed in the eye, allergic reaction

What are the other precautions for Betrixaban?

• The use of betrixaban in pregnant women is not advised because of the increased risk of severe bleeding during delivery.
• Care should be taken while shaving and brushing or flossing to prevent unnecessary blood loss.
• Dentists should be informed about the betrixaban therapy prior to a dental examination or a dental surgery.
• Caution should be exercised in breastfeeding mothers or women who intend to breastfeed.

What are the Drug Interactions of Betrixaban?

• P-glycoprotein (gp) inhibitors such as ketoconazole, amiodarone, azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, verapamil increase the concentration of betrixaban in the blood when taken together.
• Betrixaban should not be used along with anticoagulants, NSAIDs, platelet aggregation inhibitors, and the antidepressant drugs selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, because of the increased risk of bleeding.