Abington Memorial Hospital (Abington-Jefferson Health) Selected for Early Supply Program of Andexxa (reversal agent for the blood thinners Xarelto & Eliquis)
On May 3, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Andexxa, the first available antidote for patient’s taking the blood thinners Xarelto or Eliquis and who experience serious bleeding. Abington Memorial Hospital (Abington-Jefferson Health) is proud to announce that we will be one of the first forty hospitals in the United States to receive the first limited supply! Now equipped with Andexxa, we will be able to assist and treat our patients in more ways than ever before.
Andexxa (also known as Andexanet alfa) has been developed to combat diseases that lead to uncontrollable bleeding and was developed by Portola Pharmaceuticals. Andexxa has received both the U.S. Orphan Drug and FDA Breakthrough Therapy designations and was also approved under the FDA’s Accelerated Approval Pathway. Acting as a biological agent, Andexxa has successfully been documented to reverse blood loss and acts as a reversal of Factor Xa inhibitors, which are classes of anticoagulant drugs. While its potential is great, Andexxa is not recommended for treating all conditions related to uncontrolled bleeding. The sole purpose of Andexxa is to reverse the Factor Xa inhibitors, apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto).
Rivaroxaban (sold under the brand name Xarelto) and apixaban (sold under the brand name Eliquis) are anticoagulants often prescribed to patients for preventing blood clots. While effective in reducing the risk of stroke or systemic embolism, both can lead to life-threatening and uncontrolled bleeding. Andexxa is the only antidote to date that can reverse these effects.
The acceptance of this drug opens up a new door for patient treatments for the future that were previously thought to be nearly unobtainable. “Today’s approval represents a significant step forward in patient care and one that the medical community has been eagerly anticipating,” said Stuart J. Connolly, M.D., ANNEXA-4 Executive Committee chairman and professor in the Department of Medicine of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton. “Andexxa’s rapid reversal of the anticoagulating effects of rivaroxaban and apixaban will help clinicians treat life-threatening bleeding…”
As the largest cardiology practice at Abington Hospital, will begin treating appropriate patients with Andexxa immediately. AMS Cardiology is pleased that Abington Hospital was chosen as one of the only forty hospitals in the country to receive early access to Andexxa and believe that our extensive experience treating patients with atrial fibrillation contributed to this decision. Our sole mission is to prevent and treat all aspects of cardiovascular disease, while providing the care and attention our patients desperately need. This responsibility comes from years of experience and credibility in our field and we do not take it lightly.
AMS Cardiology takes every opportunity possible to provide the best care for our patients. When it comes to top-quality cardiovascular care and expertise, we are here for you. For more information about Andexxa, you may contact us here. You can also call us at (215) 517-1049.
