Alteplase is used for the treatment of blood clots in the lungs. It is also used in the improvement of cardiac function and the survival rate increase after a heart attack. Finally, it can be used to improve recovery and reduce disability in patients who have had a stroke.
What is Alteplase?
Alteplase acts by promoting the breakdown of unwanted blood clots.
How should Alteplase be taken?
Alteplase is typically administered by vein injection.
Side effects associated with Altoplase
Alteplase can cause severe bleeding.
You should immediately contact a doctor if taking Altoplase triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itchy skin
- Difficult breathing
- Chest pain or tightness
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- Change in the color of the fingers
- Vision dysfunctions
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Weakness in one side of body
- Skin purpura
- Severe dizziness or headaches
- Severe muscle pain
- Severe stomach pain
- Trouble talking
- Kidney problems
- Pancreatic problems
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Alteplase
Alteplase may be contraindicated in case of internal bleeding, history of strokes, recent brain or spinal cord surgery, brain mass, anatomical abnormalities of the blood vessels, aneurysms, uncontrolled hypertension, head injury, low platelets, high time to prothrombin, convulsions. Moreover, it should not be taken with Warfarin, because of the assumption like Heparin, it has high partial thromboplastin time within following 48 hours.
Moreover, before starting the treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its ingredients, other medicines or any food
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, in particular abciximab, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, aspirin, dipyridamole, ACE inhibitors and nitrates
- You suffer (or have suffered) from diseases of the cerebral blood vessels, gastrointestinal bleeding or urogenital trauma, high blood pressure, or inflammation around the heart, blood disorders, kidney or liver disease, bleeding in the eyes, severe infection or inflammation of the blood vessels
- You are at high risk of clots in the heart
- You had recent surgery or childbirth
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is important to inform physicians, surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatment with Alteplase prior to any procedure.
