Urokinase Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 2, 2023.

Applies to urokinase: intravenous powder for injection.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

If possible before you receive urokinase, tell your doctor if you have a brain tumor or aneurysm, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, high blood pressure, or if you have recently had a stroke, brain or spinal surgery, or medical emergency requiring CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received this medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Urokinase increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop. Bleeding may occur from a surgical incision, or from the skin where a needle was inserted during a blood test or while receiving injectable medication. You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines, kidneys or bladder, brain, or within the muscles.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding inside your body, such as:

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bleeding from a wound, incision, catheter, or needle injection);

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• red or pink urine; or

• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Some side effects may occur during or within 1 hour after the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel chilled or feverish, nauseated, light-headed, or have chest tightness, back pain, trouble breathing, or fast heartbeats.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating;

• severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting;

• darkening or purple discoloration of your fingers or toes;

• very slow heartbeats, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed;

• sudden severe back pain, muscle weakness, numbness or loss of feeling in your arms or legs;

• dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats; or

• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to urokinase: intravenous powder for injection.

General

The most common and severe adverse reaction was hemorrhage, with puncture site being the most frequent location.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Bleeding resulting in at least 5% decrease in hematocrit (36.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Significant bleeding events requiring transfusion of greater than 2 units of blood
• Frequency not reported: Hemorrhage, hematocrit decreased without clinically detectable hemorrhage, fatal hemorrhage, hematocrit decreased, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hematoma, artery dissection, embolism, cholesterol embolism
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Vascular pseudoaneurysm
• Frequency not reported: Thromboembolism, wound hemorrhage, hypotension, flushing, cyanosis, tachycardia, hypertension, myocardial infarction
• Postmarketing reports: Cardiac arrest, reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, retroperitoneal hemorrhage
• Frequency not reported: Gingival hemorrhage, retroperitoneal hematoma, nausea, vomiting, orolingual edema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Stroke, intracranial hemorrhage
• Frequency not reported: Fatal intracranial hemorrhage, intracranial hematoma, hemiplegia
• Postmarketing reports: Cerebral embolism, cerebral vascular accident^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fever, chills
• Frequency not reported: Substernal pain
• Postmarketing reports: Chest pain^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urogenital hemorrhage
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Macroscopic hematuria
• Frequency not reported: Microscopic hematuria^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle hemorrhage
• Frequency not reported: Back pain^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reaction
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Fatal anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Intrahepatic hemorrhage
• Frequency not reported: Transient increase in transaminases^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Epistaxis, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, hypoxemia, bronchospasm, recurrent pulmonary embolism
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Urticaria, rash, pruritus, diaphoresis^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Puncture site hemorrhage, puncture site hematoma, infusion reactions^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Acidosis^[Ref]

Further information

Urokinase side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer