What is streptokinase used for?

What is streptokinase used for?

Streptokinase is used to dissolve blood clots that have formed in the blood vessels. It is used immediately after symptoms of a heart attack occur to improve patient survival. This medicine may also be used to treat blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) .

What do you mean by streptokinase?

: a proteolytic enzyme produced by hemolytic streptococci that promotes the dissolution of blood clots by activating plasminogen to produce plasmin.

How does streptokinase work?

Streptokinase creates an active complex which promotes the cleavage of the Arg/Val bond in plasminogen to form the proteolytic enzyme plasmin. Plasmin in turn degrades the fibrin matrix of the thrombus, thereby exerting its thrombolytic action.

Is streptokinase still used?

Currently, despite the wide use of tissue plasminogen activator in developed nations, streptokinase remains essential to the management of acute myocardial infarction in developing nations.

How fast does streptokinase work?

The greatest benefit in mortality reduction was observed when Streptokinase was administered within four hours, but statistically significant benefit has been reported up to 24 hours (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). 1,500,000 IU within 60 min.

What is the side effect of streptokinase?

Acute allergic reactions to SK ranged from minor dyspnea, urticaria, pruritus, flushing, nausea, headache, or musculoskeletal pain to severe anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, or periorbital or angioneurotic edema. SK-induced fever has been reported in 30% to 50% of patients.

Why is streptokinase not used?

Studies of streptokinase in acute stroke were stopped due to an increase in mortality compared to placebo due to increased haemorrhage rates.

Can streptokinase be repeated?

Streptokinase usually cannot be administered safely a second time within 6 months, because it is highly antigenic and results in high levels of antistreptococcal antibodies.

How much does streptokinase cost?

The Red Book average wholesale price of 1.5 million units of streptokinase was $320; the price of 100 mg of t-PA was $2,750.

How do you use streptokinase injection?

Instill 250,000 IU Streptokinase in 2 mL of solution into each occluded limb of the cannula slowly. Clamp off cannula limb(s) for 2 hours. Observe the patient closely for possible adverse effects. After treatment, aspirate contents of infused cannula limb(s), flush with saline, reconnect cannula.

What does streptokinase interact with?

Streptase may interact with blood thinners, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or aspirin. Drugs that can reverse effects of streptokinase include aminocaproic acid, aprotinin, and tranexamic acid. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

When can you stop streptokinase?

Furthermore, if the thrombin time or any other parameter of lysis after 4 hours of therapy is not significantly different from the normal control level, discontinue Streptokinase because excessive resistance is present. 250,000 IU/30 min. (72 hrs if concurrent DVT is suspected). 250,000 IU/30 min.

What is the antidote for streptokinase?

If necessary, bleeding can be reversed and blood loss effectively managed with appropriate replacement therapy. Although the use of aminocaproic acid in humans as an antidote for Streptokinase has not been documented, it may be considered in an emergency situation.

What does streptokinase mean?

streptokinase – an enzyme produced by some strains of streptococcus that can liquefy blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin; used medicinally in some cases of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism.

Streptokinase works by attaching to the fibrin in abnormal blood clots, such as those in the arteries supplying the heart. It then activates the production of plasmin , which causes the clots to disintegrate.