• U.S. Brand Names: XiaflexT
• Pharmacologic Category: Enzyme

• This medicine is used to treat cords formed in patients with Dupuytren's contracture.
• Collagenase helps break the cord causing the bent finger.

How to take

• Your healthcare provider will give this medicine.
• Do not bend or straighten the fingers of your treated hand until your healthcare provider tells you it is okay.
• Do not try to straighten your treated finger.
• Keep your treated hand elevated until bedtime on the first day.
• You will need to return to your healthcare provider's office the next day.
• You will be given a splint to wear on the treated finger at bedtime for up to 4 months.
• Do your finger exercises each day.
• Do not start normal activities with the treated hand until healthcare provider tells you it is okay.

Storage

• This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

Warnings

• Please read the medication guide.

Avoid

• If you have an allergy to collagenase or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

Precautions

• If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

Side Effects

• Irritation or swelling at the injection site.
• Bleeding.
• Bruising.

Monitoring

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Contact a healthcare provider

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
• Unable to bend treated finger after swelling goes down.
• Severe numbness and tingling.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

General Statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada return any unused drugs back to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th for more facts about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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