Urokinase: function, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Urokinase?

What is urokinase for?

Urokinase is an artificial product developed using proteins that are naturally present in the kidneys. Urokinase is a thrombolytic agent that works by dissolving blood clots.

Urokinase is used to treat blood clots in the lungs.
Urokinase may also be used for purposes not included in this medication guide.

How is urokinase used?

Urokinase is given as an injection through a needle that is injected into a vein. You will receive this injection at a clinic or hospital.
Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen level, and other vital signs will be monitored while receiving urokinase.

How is urokinase stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Urokinase dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the urokinase dose for adults?

Dosage for myocardial infraction in adults

Rupture of the coronary thrombi:

Prior to urokinase administration, one heparin bolus infused 2500-10,000 units is administered. Heparin administration should be considered when measuring heparin doses.

Giving systemic thrombolysis:

1-2 million intl unit infusion given once every 15-30 minutes. The infusion rate is limited by side effects (fever, chills, stiffness) and may be reduced in some patients. Doses of up to 3 million intl units have been given to treat acute myocardial infraction

To determine response to urokinase, manufacturers recommend serial angiography every 15 minutes. Maximum coronary artery opening occurs within 15-30 minutes after starting opening.

Direct intracoronary artery infusion:

Following a heparin bolus, urokinase can be infused into the blocked artery at a rate of 6000 intl units / minute for up to 2 hours, for an average total dose of 500,000 intl units.

Alternatively some studies have reported infusion of urokinase in the rate of 20,000-25,000 intl units / minute for 10-20 minutes for a total dose of 250,000-500,000 intl units. It has not been established that intracoronary urokinase is administered when transmural changes in AMI result in the return of heart muscle tissue, or reduce the likelihood of death.

Heparin therapy (no loading dose) is recommended when the thrombin time is decreased to less than double the normal control value.

Dosage for pulmonary embolism in adults

Baseline: 4400 intl units / kg ideal body weight (IBW) given in a bolus infusion over 10 minutes.

Treatment: 4400 intl units / kg (IBW) / hour given as a continuous infusion over 12 hours.

Heparin therapy (no loading dose) is recommended when the thrombin time is decreased to less than double the normal control value.

Dosage for deep vein thrombosis in adults:

Baseline: 4400 intl units / kg ideal body weight (IBW) given in a bolus infusion over 10 minutes.

Treatment: 4400 intl units / kg (IBW) / hour given as a continuous infusion over 72 hours. Treatment may take up to 10 to 14 days in certain patients.

Heparin therapy (no loading dose) is recommended when the thrombin time is decreased to less than double the normal control value.

What is the urokinase dose for children?

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age).

In what dosage is urokinase available?

Powder for solution

Urokinase side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to urokinase?

Seek emergency help immediately if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: rash; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:

• bruising or bleeding easily (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bleeding from wounds, incisions, catheters, needle injections)
• bloody or black stool, coughing up blood or vomit that resembles coffee grounds
• chest pain or a feeling of heaviness, pain radiating to the arms and shoulders, nausea, sweating, feeling unwell
• sudden headache, problems with speech, vision, or balance
• fever, chills, flu symptoms, nausea, vomiting, back pain, or stomach pain
• drowsiness, confusion, mood swings, thirst, loss of appetite,
• swelling, weight gain, trouble breathing
• urinating less frequently or not at all
• a red or purple discoloration of the fingers or toes
• weakness or shortness of breath, blue lips or nails
• high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, restlessness, confusion, chest pain, difficulty breathing, uneven heartbeat, seizures) or
• pancreatitis (excruciating pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate)

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Urokinase Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using urokinase?

What should be known before using Urokinase?

When deciding which drug to use, the risks and benefits of using the drug must be considered. This is a decision made by you and your doctor. The following should be considered for this drug:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic or unusual reaction when using this medicine or other medicines. Tell your health care provider if you have any other allergies such as food allergies, food coloring, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read carefully the composition written on the packaging.

Children

Studies related to the relationship of age with the effects of Urokinase injection have not been carried out in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Elderly

Research related to the relationship of age with the effect of Urokinase injection has not been carried out in elderly patients. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Is urokinase safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = May be risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

Urokinase Drug Interactions

What medicines might interact with urokinase?

Drug interactions can change how the drugs work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not include all drug interactions that can occur. Keep a list of the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's knowledge.

Use of this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If the two drugs are prescribed together, the doctor may change the dose or how often one or both drugs are used.

• Acenocoumarol
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Anistreplase
• Apixaban
• Ardeparin
• Argatroban
• Bivalirudin
• Certoparin
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Desirudin
• Enoxaparin
• Fondaparinux
• Heparin Sodium
• Lepirudin
• Nadroparin
• Parnaparin
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Protein C, Human
• Reteplase, Recombinant
• Reviparin
• Rivaroxaban
• Streptokinase
• Tenecteplase
• Tinzaparin
• Urokinase
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with urokinase?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with urokinase?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• bleeding problems or a history of bleeding problems in any part of the body
• blood vessel problems (example: aneurysm)
• brain disease or tumor
• hypertension (high blood pressure) is not controlled
• stroke, just happened (in the last two months)
• surgery or injury to the brain or spine, recently occurred (in the past two months)
• trauma, including CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), is recent — should not be used in patients with this condition.
• blood clotting problems
• eye problems from diabetes (example: hemorrhagic retinopathy)
• heart disease or infection
• injection into a vein
• kidney disease, severe
• liver disease, severe
• implantation of any tube in the body
• any surgery or injury, severe and recent — the likelihood of serious bleeding is increased
• high cholesterol, history — the chance of having serious side effects may increase

Urokinase overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.