map-pin map-pin map-pin map-pin Hand Specialist

Explore nonsurgical XIAFLEX® for Dupuytren’s contracture

Actual patients
compensated for their time

  • A group of people with their hands flat on a coffee table A group of people with their hands flat on a coffee table

    What is XIAFLEX?

    XIAFLEX is an FDA-approved nonsurgical injectable treatment for adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt. XIAFLEX should be injected by a healthcare provider experienced in injection procedures of the hand and in treating people with Dupuytren’s contracture.

    Please see below for the most common side effects.

  • How is XIAFLEX thought to work?

    XIAFLEX is injected into the collagen “cord” that is causing the contracture. After injection, the XIAFLEX enzymes are thought to attach to the collagen that makes up the rope-like cord in the palm, unwinding the collagen and eventually, breaking it down.

    The mechanism of action of XIAFLEX in Dupuytren’s contracture is not fully understood.

    Watch the video to see how XIAFLEX is thought to work.

  • How is XIAFLEX administered?

    XIAFLEX is an injection given in a doctor’s office by a Hand Specialist with XIAFLEX training. Treatment doesn’t require general anesthesia, and up to 2 cords in 1 hand may be treated during 1 office visit.

    Dupuytren’s contracture may come back—no matter what treatment option you use. If your contracture returns after treatment, your Hand Specialist will let you know if XIAFLEX may be used again.

  • How can XIAFLEX help?

    Studies show that prescription XIAFLEX, along with a finger extension procedure, may help straighten or nearly straighten finger(s) affected by Dupuytren’s contracture and may improve range of motion after up to 3 injections.

    XIAFLEX may help contractures ranging from less severe to more severe, multiple contractures (up to 2 cords), or contractures that have come back.

  • Is XIAFLEX effective for treating a contracture?

    Explore the images to see a few results from people with Dupuytren’s contracture who received XIAFLEX.

    Treatment of 1 contracture

    MP joint of the left ring finger

    For all patients shown, XIAFLEX was injected into the “cord” (MP joint, PIP joint, or both) and a finger extension procedure was performed for each joint 48 hours later.

    Before picture for patient treated with 1 contracture Before picture for patient treated with 1 contracture
    After picture for patient treated with 1 contracture After picture for patient treated with 1 contracture
    Treatment of 1 contracture

    PIP joint of the right pinky

    For all patients shown, XIAFLEX was injected into the “cord” (MP joint, PIP joint, or both) and a finger extension procedure was performed for each joint 48 hours later.

    Before picture for patient treated with 1 contracture Before picture for patient treated with 1 contracture
    After picture for patient treated with 1 contracture After picture for patient treated with 1 contracture
    Treatment of 2 contractures on the same hand

    MP and PIP joints of the left pinky

    For all patients shown, XIAFLEX was injected into the “cord” (MP joint, PIP joint, or both) and a finger extension procedure was performed for each joint 48 hours later.

    Before picture for patient treated with 2 contractures on the same hand Before picture for patient treated with 2 contractures on the same hand
    After picture for patient treated with 2 contractures on the same hand After picture for patient treated with 2 contractures on the same hand

  • What can I expect at my XIAFLEX procedure?

    Step 01

    The day of your injection—the procedure

    • The Hand Specialist will inject XIAFLEX directly into the cord causing your finger(s) to bend. If you have 2 contractures on the same hand, your Hand Specialist may give you 2 injections during the same visit
    • Then, your hand will be bandaged, and you will be advised to keep your hand elevated until bedtime
    • Limit the movement of your treated finger(s) and do not manually bend or straighten the treated finger(s) yourself. You may see swelling or bruising after the injection
    • Plan to have someone drive you home from the procedure

    Call your Hand Specialist right away if you have any serious side effects.

    Image showing nonsurgical XIAFLEX® treatment procedure Image showing nonsurgical XIAFLEX® treatment procedure
    Image showing hand after nonsurgical XIAFLEX® treatment procedure follow-up Image showing hand after nonsurgical XIAFLEX® treatment procedure follow-up

    Step 02

    Your follow-up appointment— extending your finger(s)

    • At your follow-up appointment approximately 1 to 3 days after the injection procedure, if you still have a cord, a Hand Specialist may try to extend the treated finger(s) and “break” the cord to help straighten your finger(s). Your doctor may use local anesthetic for this procedure
    • After the injection and finger extension procedures, and leading up to your 30-day follow-up appointment, it’s important to wear the splint provided by your Hand Specialist at bedtime nightly for up to 4 months and do finger exercises several times a day for several months

    Follow the Hand Specialist’s instructions on when you can start doing normal activities with your injected hand.

    Step 03

    30 days after the injection— checking your progress

    • At the second follow-up appointment, the Hand Specialist will examine your progress. Depending on the results or if the cord(s) is still present, they may suggest additional injections and finger extension procedures (up to 3 times per cord, approximately 4 weeks apart)
    Image showing hand thirty days after nonsurgical XIAFLEX® treatment procedure Image showing hand thirty days after nonsurgical XIAFLEX® treatment procedure

  • Is XIAFLEX safe?

    XIAFLEX is considered safe for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture in adults over 18 with a “cord” that can be felt.

    • It was approved by the FDA in 2010, after clinical trials showed its effectiveness in reducing the degree of contracture and improving range of motion when compared with patients who were treated with no medication (placebo)
    • Additionally, in a long-term, 5-year observational study of patients who had participated in the clinical trials of XIAFLEX for Dupuytren’s contracture, a subset of patients who had recurrence were re-treated with XIAFLEX in a subsequent study. No new adverse events were reported

  • What are the side effects of XIAFLEX?

    XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects such as tendon rupture, ligament damage, and/or nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand; hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis; fainting, and increased chance of bleeding in certain cases.

    Call the Hand Specialist right away if you have:

    • •Signs of infection after your injection such as fever, chills, increased redness, or severe swelling
    • •Numbness or tingling in the treated finger(s)
    • •Trouble bending the injected finger(s) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit
    • •Increased pain in the injected finger(s) or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit
    • •Tears in the skin of your treated finger(s) or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit
    • •Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, chest pain, swollen face, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, or dizziness or fainting

    If you have dizziness or feel faint after receiving XIAFLEX, lie down until the symptoms go away.

    The most common side effects with XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture include: swelling of the injection site or the hand; bruising or bleeding at the injection site; pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand; swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit; itching; breaks in the skin; redness or warmth of the skin; and pain in the armpit.

    Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible XIAFLEX side effects.
    For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

  • How much does XIAFLEX cost?

    For most eligible patients with commercial insurance plans, there is a $0 copay for XIAFLEX injections when you use the XIAFLEX Copay Assistance Program.*

    How much you pay for XIAFLEX will depend on your health benefits or insurance coverage. The XIAFLEX Copay Assistance Program can cover up to $1,200 of your out-of-pocket costs for each vial.

    Learn more about savings with XIAFLEX and how to qualify for the XIAFLEX Copay Assistance Program on our Resources page.

  • Image of two men discussing Dupuytren's contracture Image of two men discussing Dupuytren's contracture

    How do I get XIAFLEX?

    XIAFLEX is only available by prescription. Visit a XIAFLEX-trained Hand Specialist and ask about XIAFLEX for your Dupuytren’s contracture.

    If you need to find a Hand Specialist, you can use our Hand Specialist Locator below.

Get started by entering your ZIP code
to find a XIAFLEX-trained Hand Specialist now.

or use my location

Locate a Hand Specialist Pin

Watch a genuine conversation about nonsurgical XIAFLEX treatment

WHAT IS XIAFLEX®?

XIAFLEX is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt. It is not known if XIAFLEX is safe and effective in children under the age of 18.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR XIAFLEX

Do not receive XIAFLEX if you have had an allergic reaction to collagenase clostridium histolyticum or any of the ingredients in XIAFLEX, or to any other collagenase product. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in XIAFLEX.

XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Tendon rupture or ligament damage. Receiving an injection of XIAFLEX may cause damage to a tendon or ligament in your hand and cause it to break or weaken. This could require surgery to fix the damaged tendon or ligament. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble bending your injected finger (towards the wrist) after the swelling goes down or you have problems using your treated hand after your follow-up visit
  • Nerve injury or other serious injury of the hand. After finger procedures, some people developed tears in the skin (lacerations), and local skin and soft-tissue necrosis (death of skin cells). Some lacerations and necrosis required skin grafting, or other surgery including amputation. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get numbness, tingling, increased pain, or tears in the skin (laceration) in your treated finger or hand after your injection or after your follow-up visit
  • Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. Severe allergic reactions can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX because it contains foreign proteins. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction after an injection of XIAFLEX:
    • hives
    • swollen face
    • breathing trouble
    • chest pain
    • low blood pressure
    • dizziness or fainting
  • Fainting. Fainting (passing out) or near fainting can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX, especially following finger procedures
    If you have dizziness or feel faint after receiving XIAFLEX, lie down until the symptoms go away.
  • Increased chance of bleeding. Bleeding or bruising at the injection site can happen in people who receive XIAFLEX. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a problem with your blood clotting. XIAFLEX may not be right for you.

Before receiving XIAFLEX, tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to a previous XIAFLEX injection, or have a bleeding problem or any other medical conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using XIAFLEX with certain other medicines can cause serious side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants). If you are told to stop taking a blood thinner before your XIAFLEX injection, your healthcare provider should tell you when to restart the blood thinner. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are unsure.

The most common side effects with XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture include:

  • swelling of the injection site or the hand
  • bruising or bleeding at the injection site
  • pain or tenderness of the injection site or the hand
  • swelling of the lymph nodes (glands) in the elbow or armpit
  • itching
  • breaks in the skin
  • redness or warmth of the skin
  • pain in the armpit

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with XIAFLEX. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Click for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

*Based on analysis of claims filed September 2011 through March 2018.