Is Activase the same as tPA?
Yes, Activase is the same as tPA but technically tPA is an abbreviation for tissue plasminogen activator which is the drug class that encompasses all tissue plasminogen activators of which there are 3 that have been FDA approved in the United States, namely:
- Activase (generic name alteplase)
- Retavase (generic name reteplase)
- TNKase (generic name Tenecteplase).
Sometimes healthcare professionals use "tPA" to refer to Activase because it was the first tissue plasminogen activator that was approved. But this may cause confusion and has been the reason behind dozens of medication errors. The main issue is that Activase is indicated for managing acute myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, and acute massive pulmonary embolism. But the other tissue plasminogen activators—Retavase and TNKase—are indicated ONLY for managing acute myocardial infarction, and are not FDA-approved for acute ischemic stroke or pulmonary embolism.
Errors often arise because of confusion between the abbreviation TNK and tPA, which has resulted in TNKase being given to stroke patients instead of the intended Activase.
Because all three drugs—Activase, TNKase, and Retavase—are tissue plasminogen activators, referring to any one of these products as "tPA" may lead to confusion about the intended product. To avoid confusion, do not use the abbreviation tPA, instead write down exactly the name of the drug intended.
References
- tPA and TNK Mix-ups: Clearing Up the Confusion. Sept 11, 2015. Medscape https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/850514
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke (Alteplase, Activase®) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/About-NINDS/Impact/NINDS-Contributions-Approved-Therapies/Tissue-Plasminogen-Activator-Acute
Read next
What is the antidote for Activase?
There is no antidote for Activase; if a patient experiences severe bleeding during Activase therapy, immediately discontinue treatment and provide supportive therapy such as tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid, or fresh frozen plasma or cryoprecipitate if fibrinogen levels are less than 150mg/dL. Stop all other antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatments and investigate (eg, CT brain, CT abdo/pelvis; FBC, coagulation profile [repeat every 2 hours until bleeding controlled]). Continue reading
How is Activase (alteplase) given/administered?
How Activase is given or administered depends upon the patient’s weight and what it is being used to treat (such as a stroke, pulmonary embolism, or myocardial infarction. For example, when used to treat a heart attack (myocardial infarction), there are two Activase dose regimens, an accelerated and a 3-hour regimen, with different recommendations depending on if the patient is over 67kg or not. For the accelerated regimen, adults weighing 67 kg or less get a 15 mg IV bolus, followed by 0.75 mg/kg IV (not to exceed 50 mg) infused over 30 minutes, and then 0.5 mg/kg IV (not to exceed 35 mg) over the next 60 minutes Adults greater than or equal to 67 kg get a 15 mg IV bolus, followed by 50 mg IV infused over 30 minutes, and then 35 mg IV infused over the next 60 minutes Continue reading
How can you check for heart disease at home?
You can check for heart disease at home by measuring your pulse rate and your blood pressure if you have a blood pressure monitor. To measure your pulse you will need an analog watch (one with a clock face rather than digital numbers) with a second hand. Place your index and middle finger of your hand on the hollow part of your inner wrist of the other arm, just below the base of the thumb. You should feel a tapping or pulse against your fingers, that is your heartbeat. Look at your watch and count the number of taps you feel in 10 seconds. Multiply that number by 6 to find out your heart rate for 1 minute. Continue reading
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