Urokinase
About Urokinase
Urokinase belongs to a class of drugs called antithrombotic agents used to dissolve harmful blood clots in blood vessels. It is used in conditions such as peripheral vascular thromboembolism (blood clot in a large vein), cerebral thrombosis (blood clot in venous sinuses of the brain), cerebral infarction (stroke), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs).
Urokinase contains urokinase that works by converting plasminogen to the enzyme plasmin. Plasmin degrades fibrin clots as well as fibrinogen and some other plasma proteins. It effectively dissolves the blood clots, restoring the blood flow to the affected area.
Urokinase will be administered by a healthcare professional. In some cases, Urokinase may cause unusual bleeding, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects do not necessitate medical treatment and fade away with time. Please visit your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Urokinase. Keep your doctor updated on your medical condition and medications to rule out any potential interactions. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Urokinase as it could increase the risk of bleeding. Urokinase should not be given to children because its safety and effectiveness have not been proven.
Uses of Urokinase
Medicinal Benefits
Urokinase belongs to a class of drugs known as antithrombotic medications. Urokinase contains urokinase. It works by dissolving or lysing the harmful or unwanted blood clots in the blood vessels. Thus it restores the blood flow to the affected blood vessels, preventing various illnesses caused by blood clots. It is used in conditions such as peripheral vascular thromboembolism (blood clot in a large vein), cerebral thrombosis (blood clot in venous sinuses of the brain), cerebral infarction (stroke), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Urokinase
- Unusual bleeding
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Drug Warnings
Before taking Urokinase, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Urokinase should be used with caution in elderly people because they are at significant risk of bleeding. If you have active tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, severe uncontrolled arterial hypertension, bleeding abnormalities, severe hepatic or renal diseases, inform your doctor before taking Urokinase. Also, let your doctor know if you have had a recent cerebrovascular accident, as well as intracranial or intraspinal surgery. Inform your doctor that you take Urokinase if are due to undergo surgery. You should avoid alcohol because it increases the risk of bleeding. Urokinase is not recommended for children since its safety and effectiveness have not been proven.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Urokinase may interact with anticoagulant medications (warfarin) and medications with platelet antiaggregant effects (aspirin, ticlopidine hydrochloride, dipyridamole).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol should be avoided because it increases the risk of bleeding.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Urokinase may have an interaction with disease conditions like active bleeding, severe uncontrolled arterial hypertension, recent surgery (CPR/intracranial/intraspinal surgery within two months), bleeding diathesis (a tendency to bleed), history of cerebrovascular accident, and intracranial defect (arteriovenous malformation, aneurysm, neoplasm).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid the consumption of alcohol with Urokinase as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Pregnancy
unsafeUrokinase is not recommended during pregnancy or immediately after the delivery unless advised by the doctor. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBreastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Urokinase. Please consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionIt is unclear whether Urokinase impacts your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeUrokinase is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, noni juice, pomegranate juice, and green tea.
- Make no dietary changes without first consulting your doctor.
- You should avoid alcohol because it increases the risk of bleeding.
- Maintain a healthy cholesterol and triglyceride level.
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise routine to keep your heart healthy.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood Clot: A blood clot is a clump or mass of blood formed when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood adhere to one another. When you are injured, your body creates a blood clot to stop the bleeding. Though blood clots are helpful to stop bleeding, they may be harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart or lungs and result in severe conditions. Obesity, smoking, cancer, a family history of blood clots, age over 65, and certain birth control pills or pregnancy are common risk factors for blood clots.
FAQs
Urokinase works by dissolving the harmful blood clots in the blood vessels. This restores the blood flow to the affected blood vessels, preventing various illnesses caused by blood clots.
Yes, Urokinase raises the possibility of bleeding. Always exercise caution when engaging in activities that could result in an injury or bleeding. Notify your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bruises or bleeding.
To determine blood clotting time, tests such as platelet count, factor V assay, fibrinogen level test, prothrombin time test (PT or PT-INR), and the INR (international normalised ratio) are utilised.
If you are scheduled for surgery, please consult your doctor. The doctor may advise you to stop taking Urokinase a few days before surgery because it increases the chance of bleeding during surgery.
Urokinase is not recommended for use in people with severe uncontrolled high blood pressure.
