Alteplase
About Alteplase
Alteplase belongs to the class of thrombolytics. It is used to treat various medical conditions, including Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS), Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), to reduce mortality and incidence of heart failure. Besides this, it can be used in Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism (PE) for lysis. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the sudden loss of blood flow to an area of the brain with the resulting loss of neurologic function. A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets stuck in an artery in the lungs, blocking blood flow.
Alteplase contains Alteplase; it works by dissolving blood clots that block blood flow to the affected tissue, thereby effectively treating various medical conditions.
Alteplase is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. The most frequent adverse reactions of this therapy are bleeding and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects of Alteplase do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, contact your doctor.
Before taking the Alteplase, let your doctor know about all your sensitivities and all medications you are using. And also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. The presence of additional medical issues may impact the use of this medication, so inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, including active internal bleeding, recent intracranial or intraspinal surgery or serious head trauma, intracranial conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding, bleeding diathesis, current severe uncontrolled hypertension, current intracranial haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage and history of a recent stroke. It is recommended not to take alcohol while Alteplase therapy.
Uses of Alteplase
Medicinal Benefits
Alteplase plays a vital role in preventing the formation of harmful blood clots in your blood vessels. Thus, it helps to reduce the risk of Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) to reduce mortality and incidence of heart failure. On the other hand, it can treat acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) in the lysis. It works by dissolving blood clots that block blood flow to the affected tissue.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Alteplase
- Bleeding
- Injection site reactions
Drug Warnings
Before taking the Alteplase, let your doctor know you're allergic to any ingredient. Inform your doctor about your medical history and other medications you are currently taking to rule out any potential negative effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding or if you have any other medical conditions, including active internal bleeding, recent intracranial or intraspinal surgery or serious head trauma, current severe uncontrolled hypertension, current intracranial or subarachnoid haemorrhage and history of a recent stroke.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Alteplase may interact with anticoagulant medications (e.g. warfarin, aspirin, apixaban) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (e.g. enalapril, lisinopril).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Extreme caution should be used while using Alteplase in patients with bleeding risks.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsuming alcohol along with Alteplase is not advisable.
Pregnancy
cautionThere are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women. So inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe Alteplase only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no substantial research yet on using Alteplase in breastfeeding/nursing mothers. Let your doctor know if you are a nursing mother before taking Alteplase; your doctor will decide whether Alteplase can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
not applicableAlteplase has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
safe if prescribedInform your doctor before receiving the Alteplase if you have had a liver impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
safe if prescribedInform your doctor before receiving the Alteplase if you have had a kidney impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionThe safety and effectiveness of Alteplase have not been established in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A low-cholesterol diet and a regular exercise regime effectively complement treatment with Alteplase.
- Stick to a freshly prepared home-cooked meal and avoid processed, packed foods that contain hidden sugar and extra calories.
- Replacing most of your saturated fats with unsaturated fats can quickly reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
- Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish and nuts contain many heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so eating them regularly is beneficial.
- Include a diet enriched in fats like fish oils, polyunsaturated oils, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health.
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
Special Advise
- As Alteplase tends to increase bleeding, try to avoid injuries, keep away from sharp objects, and inform your doctor if you have peptic ulcers or injuries.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood clot: A blood clot can occur in any part of the body, leading to a heart attack, stroke, and organ damage (even coma or death). Blood clots can reach your arteries or veins in the organs like the brain, kidney, heart, lungs, and limbs. Conditions like atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart failure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and obesity/overweight can trigger excessive blood clotting in the brain and heart. On the other hand, deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in veins), peripheral artery disease (narrowed arteries due to fat deposit or blood clot), and atherosclerosis (fat built upon the walls of the arteries) can cause a blood clot in your limbs.
Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS): Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the sudden loss of blood flow to an area of the brain with the resulting loss of neurologic function. It is caused by thrombosis or embolism that occludes a cerebral vessel supplying a specific brain area.
Acute myocardial infarction: Acute myocardial infarction is myocardial necrosis resulting from acute obstruction of a coronary artery. Symptoms include chest discomfort with or without dyspnea, nausea, and/or diaphoresis.
Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE): A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets stuck in an artery in the lungs, blocking blood flow. Acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is defined as Acute pulmonary emboli obstructing blood flow to a lobe or multiple lung segments. Acute pulmonary emboli are accompanied by unstable hemodynamics, e.g., failure to maintain blood pressure without supportive measures.
FAQs
Alteplase is used to treat Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS), Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) to reduce mortality and incidence of heart failure and Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
Alteplase contains Alteplase; it works by dissolving blood clots that block blood flow to the affected tissue, thereby effectively treating various medical conditions.
The most frequent adverse reaction associated with this therapy is bleeding. In most cases, this condition gradually resolves over time. However, if bleeding persists, contact your doctor.
The risk of stroke may outweigh the benefit produced by thrombolytic therapy in patients whose Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) puts them at low risk for death or heart failure.
Do not take anticoagulants; drugs that inhibit platelet function increase the risk of bleeding when administered with Alteplase therapy. And also recommended not to take concomitant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may increase the risk of angioedema.
Alteplase is administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer.
Alteplase is safe when used as per the dose and duration advised by a doctor.
After taking Alteplase, you may not notice an immediate difference. The effects may not be noticeable immediately but it does not mean Alteplase is not working. It works by reducing the risk of blood clots in the blood vessels. So, it is important to continue the treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
Alteplase causes side effect such as bleeding and injection site reactions. Contact a doctor if these side effects persists for longer durations.
