Xiaflex
Generic name:collagenase clostridium histolyticum [ KOL-a-JEN-ase-klos-TRID-ee-um-HIS-toe-LIT-ik-um ]
Drug class:Miscellaneous uncategorized agents
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 6, 2021.
What is Xiaflex?
Xiaflex is made from a mixture of proteins derived from a certain bacteria.
Xiaflex is used to treat Dupuytren's contracture in adults. This condition causes an abnormal thickening of the tissue in the palm of the hand. This condition may get worse over time and form a "cord" in your palm, causing a permanent bend in your finger.
Xiaflex is also used to treat a related condition called Peyronie's disease in adult men. This condition causes scar tissue or "plaque" to develop under the skin of the penis, resulting in an abnormal curving of the penis during erection.
Xiaflex is available for Peyronie's disease only from a certified pharmacy under a special program called Xiaflex REMS. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks of taking this medicine.
Warnings
Before you receive Xiaflex, tell your doctor if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia.
Xiaflex can damage a nerve, tendon, or ligament in the hand the medicine is injected into. After the swelling from your injection goes down, call your doctor if you have numbness, tingling, increased pain, trouble bending your finger toward your wrist, or if you have new or worsened movement problems in your treated hand.
Xiaflex may also damage the erectile tissues inside a man's penis, which could require surgery to correct. Call your doctor right away if you have bruising and swelling of your penis, pain when you urinate, blood in the urine, sudden erection problems, or a "popping" sound or sensation in your penis during an erection.
Before receiving this medicine
You should not use Xiaflex if you are allergic to collagenase clostridium histolyticum. Xiaflex should not be used to treat Peyronie's disease that affects the urethra (the tube for passing urine out of your bladder).
To make sure Xiaflex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia; or
if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
FDA pregnancy category B. Xiaflex is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether collagenase clostridium histolyticum passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby while using Xiaflex.
