ALTEPLASE

Alteplase is a recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) that converts plasminogen attached to fibrin into plasmin, which induces fibrinolysis and thrombus dissolution (fibrin clots).

Use this medication precisely as recommended by your physician. Follow the prescription of your doctor carefully.

The medication dose given by your physician is based on your health conditions, other medications or food supplements taken, and your reaction to the treatment. To diminish risks for adverse effects, do not increase your dosage, thus take it regularly, or take it as instructed by your physician. Adverse events may still happen even at usual prescription dosages.

If your physician requests you to use this drug consistently, take it regularly to get the most benefits from it. To make you remember it better, take it at a fixed time every day.

Your doctor may need to modify your dosages to ease your symptoms or if you develop adverse reactions.

Uses

Alteplase is used in the following conditions:

Clearance of central venous lines
Acute myocardial infarction
Acute massive pulmonary embolism
Acute ischemic stroke

This medicine may be recommended for different uses. Approach your physician or pharmacist for more information.

Warnings

Do not use Alteplase in people with the following conditions:

Bleeding disorder (at present or within 6 months)
Severe stroke
Hemorrhagic diathesis
Intracranial and subarachnoid hemorrhage
Aneurysm
History of CNS damage
Severe uncontrolled hypertension
Bacterial endocarditis
Pericarditis
Acute pancreatitis
Ulcerative GI disease
Esophageal varices
Major surgery or significant trauma in the past 3 months
Use of rigid catheters
Severe hepatic impairment, including hepatic failure, cirrhosis, portal hypertension and active hepatitis.

Side Effects

Alteplase may have the following side effects:

Superficial hematoma or ecchymoses
Gingival bleeding
Melena
Hematuria
Hemoptysis
Epistaxis
Eye and pericardial hemorrhage
Rash
Urticaria
Bronchospasm
Angioedema
Pyrexia

Potentially Fatal:

Severe spontaneous bleeding
Recurrent ischemia or angina pectoris
Heart failure
Pulmonary edema
Cardiogenic shock
Cardiac arrest and reinfarction
Reperfusion arrhythmia
Sepsis
Cholesterol embolisation

Keep in mind that your physician has recommended this drug since he or she has known that the advantage to you is more significant than the risk of adverse reactions. Many individuals utilizing this medicine don’t have serious side effects.

A severe allergy to this medication is uncommon. In any case, seek emergency medical help if you see any manifestations of a serious allergic response, including a rash, tingling or swelling particularly of the face or tongue or throat, dizziness or difficulty in breathing.

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you see other effects not recorded above, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions

Take extra caution in patients with the following medical conditions:

Patient with mild stroke
Thrombocytopenia
Hemostatic defect
Patient who recently had surgery, obstetrical delivery, percutaneous biopsy of deep tissues, puncture of non-compressible blood vessels and cardiac massage
Venous thrombosis in the region of catheter
Presence of infection in the catheter
Pregnancy
Lactation

Prior in taking this medicine, tell your physician or pharmacist if you have allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions with the drug. This drug may contain inert ingredients which can cause unfavorable side effects or different issues. Talk with your pharmacist for more information.

Interactions

Alteplase may interact with the following medicines:

Coumarin derivatives
Oral anticoagulants
Platelet aggregation inhibitors
Unfractioned heparin/LMWH
ACE inhibitors
IV glyceryl trinitrate
Bivalirudin
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Heparin
Morphine

Inform your physician about the drugs you take including over-the-counter medications, prescribed drugs, supplements and vitamins.

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Approach your physician or pharmacist for more details.

The effects of certain medications can change if you consume different medications or herbal products simultaneously. This can build your risk for side effects or may cause your drugs not to work effectively. These interactions are possible, yet don’t generally happen. Your physician or pharmacist can prevent or oversee interactions by changing how you utilize your prescriptions or by close checking.

While utilizing this drug, don’t start, stop, or change the dose of other medicines you are using without your physician’s advice.

Overdose & Brands

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

Reduction in blood coagulation components (fibrinogen)
Severe bleeding

Available brands:

Activase
Cathflo Activase