What is XIAFLEX®?
XIAFLEX® is an FDA-approved, nonsurgical treatment for adults with Dupuytren’s contracture when a “cord” can be felt. It starts breaking down the cord as soon as you receive the injection.
XIAFLEX® should be injected by a healthcare provider who is experienced in injection procedures of the hand and in treating people with Dupuytren’s contracture.
XIAFLEX® can cause serious side effects such as tendon rupture or ligament damage.
After injection, XIAFLEX® is thought to attach itself to the collagen that makes up the rope-like cord in the palm, unwinding the collagen and eventually breaking it down. However, the mechanism of action is not fully known.
XIAFLEX® is given:
Studies show that prescription XIAFLEX®, along with a finger extension procedure, may help straighten or nearly straighten the affected finger and improve range of motion after up to 3 injections.
83% (206 out of 249) of patients were satisfied with XIAFLEX® compared with 30% (38 out of 125) of patients with placebo.*
*In 2 clinical studies, patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with treatment on Day 90 as “very satisfied,” “quite satisfied,” “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied,” “quite dissatisfied,” or “very dissatisfied.” For data analysis, “satisfied” includes patients who chose “very satisfied” or “quite satisfied.”
In these 2 clinical studies, patients received up to 3 injections of XIAFLEX® or placebo into a cord that could be felt on Days 0, 30, and 60. About 24 hours after each injection, patients had a finger extension procedure and were fitted with a splint to wear at bedtime for up to 4 months. Patients also performed finger exercises every day.
In these 2 studies, 60% of patients had a straight or nearly straight finger 30 days after the last injection on Days 30, 60, or 90 after up to 3 XIAFLEX® injections and finger extension procedures compared with 6% of patients who received placebo.
The most common side effects with XIAFLEX® in these studies were swelling of the injected hand and bruising or bleeding at the injection site.
Watch how and why nonsurgical XIAFLEX® was right for these 3 patients who were looking for an in-office treatment that didn’t require surgery.
Treatment of one contracture
This patient had a cord that could be felt causing a contracture of the MP joint of the left ring finger. The cord was injected with XIAFLEX® and a finger extension procedure was performed 48 hours later
BEFORE TREATMENT
AFTER FINGER EXTENSION
Actual patient. Images used with permission from physician and patient.
MP=metacarpophalangeal Individual results may vary
Treatment of one contracture
This patient had a cord that could be felt causing a contracture of the PIP joint of the left pinky finger. The cord was injected with XIAFLEX® and a finger extension procedure was performed 48 hours later
BEFORE TREATMENT
AFTER FINGER EXTENSION
Actual patient. Images used with permission from physician and patient.
PIP=proximal interphalangeal Individual results may vary
Treatment of two contractures on the same hand
This patient had a cord that could be felt causing contractures of the MP and PIP joints of the left pinky finger. The cord was injected with XIAFLEX® at each location and a finger extension procedure was performed for each joint 48 hours later
BEFORE TREATMENT
AFTER FINGER EXTENSION
Actual patient. Images used with permission from physician and patient.
MP=metacarpophalangeal PIP=proximal interphalangeal Individual results may vary
Patients had finger extensions performed by a physician; were fitted with a splint; and were instructed to use a splint at bedtime for up to 4 months and perform daily finger exercises.
In studies, patients received up to 3 injections of XIAFLEX® or placebo into a cord that could be felt at approximately 4-week intervals.
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.
A Hand Specialist may consider treatment with XIAFLEX® if you have a cord that can be felt, along with:
Contractures ranging from less severe to more severe
Multiple contractures in 1 hand
Up to 2 cords in 1 hand may be treated during 1 office visit.
Contractures that have come back
Dupuytren’s contracture may come back no matter what option you use. If your condition returns after treatment, nonsurgical XIAFLEX® may be used again.
Ask a Hand Specialist if XIAFLEX® is right for you.
Find a Hand SpecialistUnderstanding the Procedure
Treatment with XIAFLEX® is performed in a doctor’s office.
Considering treatment with XIAFLEX®? The following steps can help you better understand what to expect.
XIAFLEX® should be injected by a healthcare provider who is experienced in injection procedures of the hand and treating people with Dupuytren's contracture.
Use these questions to help guide your discussion with a Hand Specialist.
Download discussion guide
The doctor will:
Do not bend or straighten the treated finger(s) yourself
Your first follow-up visit with the doctor will be approximately 1 to 3 days after the injection. If you still have the cord, the doctor may try to extend the treated finger(s) and “break” the cord. This is to help straighten your finger(s). The doctor may use local anesthetic during this procedure.
After the extension procedure, the doctor will:
Call the doctor right away if you have:
Note: Dupuytren’s contracture may return no matter what treatment is used.
Watch real patients explain their personal experiences before, during, and after XIAFLEX® injections and the finger-extension procedure, and why they would choose XIAFLEX® again.
Learn how to do after-treatment exercises for your hand
The following are examples of finger exercises you can do at home. This information should not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
Exercise 1:
Lay your hand flat on the table. Raise each finger up one at a time and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Repeat this exercise 4 times a day.
Exercise 2:
Lay your hand flat on the table. Move each finger from side to side (like a windshield wiper) one at a time; repeat 10 times. Repeat the exercise 4 times a day.
Exercise 3:
Bend only the top 2 joints of all fingers, keeping your knuckles straight. Arch your knuckles back 10 times in a row. Repeat the exercise 4 times a day.
Exercise 4:
Use the unaffected hand to gently straighten the affected finger 10 times, holding for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 4 times a day.
Ask a Hand Specialist if XIAFLEX® is right for you.
Find a Hand Specialist
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.
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:
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:
Post-marketing experience – Events of fainting (passing out) and near fainting have been reported by some patients treated with XIAFLEX. In some cases, pain from injection and finger extension procedures were identified as potential triggers for these events.
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.
XIAFLEX can cause serious side effects, including:
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:
Post-marketing experience – Events of fainting (passing out) and near fainting have been reported by some patients treated with XIAFLEX. In some cases, pain from injection and finger extension procedures were identified as potential triggers for these events.
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.