Activase
ALTEPLASE
Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Activase is a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) indicated for the treatment of: Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS). ( 1.1 ) Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) to reduce mortality and incidence of heart failure. ( 1.2 ) Limitation of Use in AMI: the risk of stroke may be greater than the benefit in patients at low risk of death from cardiac causes. ( 1.2 ) Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism (PE) for lysis. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Acute Ischemic Stroke Activase is indicated for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Exclude intracranial hemorrhage as the primary cause of stroke signs and symptoms prior to initiation of treatment [see Contraindications (4.1) ] .
Structured Monograph
Clinical summary
Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Activase is a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) indicated for the treatment of: Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS). ( 1.1 ) Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) to reduce mortality and incidence of heart failure. ( 1.2 ) Limitation of Use in AMI: the risk of stroke may be greater than the benefit in patients at low risk of death from cardiac causes. ( 1.2 ) Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism (PE) for lysis. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Acute Ischemic Stroke Activase is indicated for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Exclude intracranial hemorrhage as the primary cause of stroke signs and symptoms prior to initiation of treatment [see Contraindications (4.1) ] . Initiate treatment as soon as possible but within 3 hours after symptom onset. 1.2 Acute Myocardial Infarction Activase is indicated for use in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for the reduction of mortality and reduction of the incidence of heart failure. Limitation of Use: The risk of stroke may outweigh the benefit produced by thrombolytic therapy in patients whose AMI puts them at low risk for death or heart failure. 1.3 Pulmonary Embolism Activase is indicated for the lysis of acute massive pulmonary embolism, defined as: Acute pulmonary emboli obstructing blood flow to a lobe or multiple lung segments. Acute pulmonary emboli accompanied by unstable hemodynamics, e.g., failure to maintain blood pressure without supportive measures. Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Acute Ischemic Stroke : The recommended dose is 0.9 mg/kg (not to exceed 90 mg total dose) infused intravenously over 60 minutes with 10% of the total dose administered as an initial bolus over 1 minute. ( 2.1 ) Acute Myocardial Infarction : The recommended total dose is based on patient weight, not to exceed 100 mg. ( 2.2 ) Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism : The recommended dose is 100 mg administered by IV infusion over 2 hours. ( 2.3 ) Do not add other medications to infusions containing Activase. ( 2.5 ) 2.1 Acute Ischemic Stroke Administer Activase as soon as possible but within 3 hours after onset of symptoms. The recommended dose is 0.9 mg/kg (not to exceed 90 mg total dose), with 10% of the total dose administered as an initial intravenous bolus over 1 minute and the remainder infused over 60 minutes. During and following Activase administration for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, frequently monitor and control blood pressure. In patients without recent use of oral anticoagulants or heparin, Activase treatment can be initiated prior to the availability of coagulation study results. Discontinue Activase if the pretreatment International Normalized Ratio (INR) is greater than 1.7 or the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is elevated [see Contraindications (4.1) ] . 2.2 Acute Myocardial Infarction Administer Activase as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. The recommended total doses for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is based on patient weight, not to exceed 100 mg, regardless of the selected administration regimen (accelerated or 3 hour, described below). There are two Activase dose regimens (accelerated and 3-hour) for use in the management of AMI; there are no controlled studies to compare clinical outcomes with these regimens [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ]. Accelerated Infusion The recommended accelerated infusion dose consists of an IV bolus [see Dosage and Administration (2.4 , 2.5) ] followed by an IV infusion as set forth in Table 1 . Table 1 Accelerated Infusion Weight-Based Doses for Patients with AMI Patient weight Intravenous Bolus First 30 min Next 60 min > 67 kg 15 mg 50 mg 35 mg ≤ 67 kg 15 mg 0.75 mg/kg 0.50 mg/kg The safety and efficacy of accelerated infusion of Activase have only been investigated with concomitant administration of heparin and aspirin [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] . 3-Hour Infusion For patients weighing ≥ 65 kg, the recommended dose is 100 mg administered as 60 mg in the first hour (6-10 mg administered as a bolus), 20 mg over the second hour, and 20 mg over the third hour. For smaller patients (< 65 kg), a dose of 1.25 mg/kg administered over 3 hours may be used. Weight-based doses are shown in Table 2 . Table 2 3-hour Infusion Weight-Based Doses for Patients with AMI Patient weight Bolus Rest of 1st hour 2nd hour 3rd hour ≥ 65 kg 6-10 mg 50-54 mg 20 mg 20 mg < 65 kg 0.075 mg/kg 0.675 mg/kg 0.25 mg/kg 0.25 mg/kg 2.3 Pulmonary Embolism (PE) The recommended dose is 100 mg administered by IV infusion over 2 hours. Institute parenteral anticoagulation near the end of or immediately following the Activase infusion when the partial thromboplastin time or thrombin time returns to twice normal or less. 2.4 Activase 50 mg Reconstitution and Administration Instructions Activase is for intravenous administration only. Do not add any other medication to infusion solutions containing Activase. Extravasation of Activase infusion can cause ecchymosis or inflammation. If extravasatio
Monitoring
- • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Increases the risk of bleeding.
- • Avoid intramuscular injections.
- • Monitor for bleeding.
- • If serious bleeding occurs, discontinue Activase.
Interaction Notes
- • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS The interaction of Activase with other cardioactive or cerebroactive drugs has not been studied.
- • Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs increase the risk of bleeding if administered prior to, during, or after Activase therapy.
- • In the post-marketing setting, there have been reports of angioedema in patients (primarily patients with AIS) receiving concomitant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
- • [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].