What is this medicine?
UROKINASE (yoor uh KAHY neys) breaks-up blood clots. It is used to treat large blood clots formed in the lungs.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- blue color to lips or nailbeds
- breathing problems
- changes in vision
- chest pain or tightness
- dark urine, stools, or vomit
- fast, irregular heartbeat
- fever, chills
- nausea, vomiting
- trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
- unusual bleeding, bruising, or purple spots on the skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- feeling faint or lightheaded
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- aminocaproic acid
- aprotinin
- tranexamic acid
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- antiinflammatory drugs, NSAIDs like ibuprofen
- aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
- dipyridamole
- drotrecogin alfa
- fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) supplements
- ginkgo
- medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Active internal bleeding.
- Recent (≤2 months) cerebrovascular accident.
- Recent trauma, including CPR.
- Known bleeding diathesis.
- Severe uncontrolled arterial hypertension.
- Intracranial neoplasms.
- Intracranial vascular disease (i.e., aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation).
- Recent (≤2 months) intracranial or intraspinal surgery.
- Known hypersensitivity to urokinase or any ingredient in formulation.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.
This medicine contains albumin from human blood. It may be possible to pass an infection in this medicine. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.
This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonprescription pain relievers for several days after receiving this medicine.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- aneurysm
- bleeding problems or problems with blood clotting
- blood vessel disease or damaged blood vessels
- diabetic retinopathy
- head injury or tumor
- high blood pressure
- infection
- irregular heartbeats
- recent biopsy or surgery
- an unusual or allergic reaction to urokinase, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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