Alteplase Injection

Description

Alteplase Injection is a medicine which dissolves the clots that have formed in blood vessels. It is used to treat stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs). It is known as a thrombolytic or “clot-busting” medicine.

Alteplase Injection is given directly into a vein by a doctor as soon as possible after the first signs of a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism are noticed. Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels and other vital signs will be watched closely. You may be given another medicine to prevent the formation of new blood clots at the same time or after the treatment.

Alteplase Injection may cause confusion, nausea, and vomiting. It has many serious side effects. The most common and serious side effect of this medicine is bleeding. Treatment with this drug can lead to bleeding in the brain (cerebral hemorrhage), extremely low blood pressure (shock), and cardiac arrest (where your heart stops beating). Your treatment may be stopped if any of these happen. Talk to your doctor about the risk of serious side effects before you are given this medicine.

This medicine is not suitable for everyone. There is a long list of situations where you will not be given Alteplase Injection including if you have had a head injury, surgery of your brain or spinal cord, and any current bleeding anywhere in your body. Your healthcare team will need to know a lot about your medical history before giving you this medicine.