Streptase

Streptase 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).

Streptokinase is also used to dissolve blood clots in tubes (catheters) that are inserted in blood vessels.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Powder for Solution

Before using Streptase, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.

For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric Population: Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of streptokinase in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric Population: No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of streptokinase in geriatric patients.

Pregnancy: All Trimesters: Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding: There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary.

When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aspirin

Other Interactions: Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems: The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems or a history of bleeding in any part of the body 
• Blood clotting disorder, uncontrolled 
• Brain disease or tumor 
• High blood pressure, uncontrolled 
• Stroke, recent (within two months) 
• Surgery or injury to the brain or spine, recent (within two months)—This medicine should NOT be used in these conditions 
• Catheter (tube) infection 
• Diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled 
• Eye problems from diabetes (e.g., hemorrhagic retinopathy) or high blood pressure 
• Heart disease or infections (e.g., mitral stenosis or endocarditis) 
• Injections into a blood vessel 
• Kidney disease, severe 
• Liver disease, severe 
• Lung disease (e.g., tuberculosis or severe bronchitis) 
• Pancreatitis 
• Placement of any tube into the body 
• Surgery or injury of any kind, major and recent—The chance of serious bleeding may be increased 
• Heart rhythm problems 
• Hypotension—These conditions may get worse 
• Streptococcal infection, recent (within 6 months) (e.g., sore throat, rheumatic fever)—This medicine may not be effective 

Proper usage of Streptase requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle or tube placed into one of your blood vessels.

In using Streptase, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Streptase can cause bleeding that usually is not serious. However, serious bleeding may occur in some people.

To help prevent serious bleeding, carefully follow any instructions given by your doctor. Move around as little as possible, and do not get out of bed on your own, unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so.

Watch for any bleeding or oozing on your skin, such as around the place of injection or where blood was drawn from your arm. Also, check for blood in your urine or bowel movements. If you have any bleeding or injuries, tell your doctor or nurse right away.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Streptase. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common:

• blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• fever
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common:

• blood in stool
• blood in urine
• nose bleeds
• red or purple spots on the skin
• unusual bruising
• vomiting blood

Rare:

• abdominal pain or swelling
• back pain or backaches
• black, tarry stools
• burning, itching, redness, or soreness of the skin
• cloudy urine
• cold clammy skin
• constipation
• cough
• coughing up blood
• the difficulty with breathing
• the difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fast, weak pulse
• the feeling of warmth
• greatly decreased the frequency of urination or amount of urine
• headaches
• hives or welts
• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lightheadedness
• muscle or bone pain
• nausea and vomiting
• noisy breathing
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.