Recothrom is applied on the skin or cuts during a surgery to reduce the loss of blood from small injuries. Thrombin is a naturally occurring protein in the body.
This recombinant thrombin, prepared by processes which are not natural, also works the same way as the natural thrombin to control bleeding by facilitating clotting of the blood.
Only a doctor or other health personnel in the presence of a doctor can administer this medicine. It is available as Powder for a solution.
Before using Recothrom, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Together with your doctor, you can decide whether the medication will do you more goods than the harms.
Here are some factors to be considered before deciding to use this medicine:
Allergies: Inform your doctor about the allergies you have, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Pediatric: Though generally safe for use in children, safety, and efficacy of thrombin topical in newborns below 30 days have not been well defined.
Geriatric: It is generally safe for use in elderly.
Pregnancy: It falls under pregnancy category C for all trimesters, meaning that due to lack of sufficient studies, it’s not clear if this medication is safe for use in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: Use after assessing the risks and benefits.
Drug Interactions: Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions.
Inform you doctor about the intake of any other prescription or nonprescription medicine.
Other Interactions: Taking your medicine together with certain foods or items such as alcohol or tobacco may cause undesirable interactions. Talk to your doctor to know if using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco is safe.
Inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, including:
- Ongoing risk of severe bleeding
- Allergic reactions to hamster proteins in the past: Do not be use this medicine.
- Allergic reaction to snake proteins in the past: Use cautiously.
Proper usage of Recothrom requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders.
A doctor or other trained health personnel applies for this medicine exclusively to your skin or cuts while performing a surgery, using a sponge or a spray applicator.
Remember this medicine is not meant for injection.
Before using Recothrom, there are some precautions you must take. To ensure proper functioning of this medicine, your doctor will monitor your progress on a regular basis. During the use, your risk of blood clotting problems is high.
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
- A sudden or severe pain in the head
- vision or speech troubles
- chest pain
- breathing or swallowing difficulties
- swollen or tender leg
- numb sensations or weakness
Seek emergency medical help if you have any signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, including:
- Rapid and irregular breathing
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Fainting
- Unusual skin color in the face
- Rapid and irregular heart rhythm or pulse
- Hives
- Swollen face, hands, or tongue
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Recothrom.
Consult your doctor immediately if you have any of the following side effects:
More common:
- Breathing problems
- Chest pain
- Pain in the groin
- Sore calves
- Severe, sudden headache
- Speech difficulties
- Sudden problems with coordination
- Sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
- Unusually rapid and shallow breath
- Vision abnormalities
Though rare and non-serious, some side effects can cause problems.
Consult your doctor if the following side effects persist or worry you:
- Burning, red, swollen, or itchy skin at the place where the medicine was used
The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above. Call your doctor immediately if you notice any side effects that are uncommon or worry you. To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.
