Streptokinase is used to treat very early (within the first 2 or 3 hours) occurrences of a heart attack, often as a result of coronary thrombosis. It is also indicated in the treatment of other artery thrombosis, acute pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis, thrombosis in the brain and retinal occlusions. Along with Streptodornase, it is used in the treatment of edema in thrombophlebitis, abscesses, hematomas, and leg ulcers.
What is Streptokinase?
Streptokinase belongs to the category of fibrinolytic agents such as urokinase, anistreplase and plasminogen activator. The fibrinolytic drugs are able to stimulate the formation of plasmin, an enzyme that protects the body from the formation of possible occlusions within blood vessels that are able to destroy some structures present in the blood such as fibrin (protein used in blood clotting) and thrombi (solid masses formed by fibrin, platelets, white blood cells and red blood cells, which can form in the blood vessels). The human body does not directly produce plasmin, but one of its inactive precursors, plasminogen, is activated by various substances.
In particular, Streptokinase is an enzyme produced in culture and in vivo by strains of Streptococcus haemolyticus. It is able to transform the inactive plasminogen into an active plasmin, which dissolves fibrin and dissolves arterial thrombi, preventing or treating thromboembolic disorders. The administration of this type of medication in emergency situations has reduced mortality rates from myocardial ischemia.
How should Streptokinase be taken?
Streptokinase is administered intravenously and should be done under the strict control of a physician, particularly in regards to monitoring blood coagulation parameters.
Side effects associated with Streptokinase
One of the major side effects caused by use of this drug is bleeding, in cases where you are taking any other anticoagulants or in case of overdosing.
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Streptokinase
The use of Streptokinase is contraindicated in patients with hemorrhagic predisposition, severe hypertension and vascular diseases at risk for bleeding, as well as during the first 18 weeks of pregnancy and in general, in all those conditions in which the risks of developing hemorrhage is high.
