Urokinase, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: thrombolytic

Generic and brand names: urokinase, injection; Abbokinase

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (a shot) or IV infusion (slow drip into a large vein) to treat blood clots in the lungs (called pulmonary embolism). This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a brain tumor
• bleeding or blood clotting problems
• eye problems related to diabetes
• high blood pressure
• kidney or liver disease
• ulcers

Tell your provider if you have recently had a stroke, surgery, or if you have recently fallen or been injured. Also tell your health care provider if you take medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming medicines such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

The injections are given in a hospital.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine is made from human tissue. It is tested for viruses such as hepatitis and HIV. The risk of getting an infection from this medicine is very low, but it is still possible. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Bleeding is the most common side effect. Your healthcare provider will check for bleeding and will try to avoid puncturing your skin whenever possible. While you are receiving this medicine, your healthcare provider will carefully watch you for any serious side effects. If you notice any bleeding, tell your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely to make sure the medicine is working and is not causing unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Bleeding anywhere on your body; bloody or black tarry bowel movements; blood in the urine; irregular heartbeat; fever; swelling; back pain; sudden or severe headache; sudden changes in vision; chest pain; trouble urinating; shortness of breath; blue or purple toes; joint or muscle pain.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flushing, chills.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• aspirin or other salicylates
• herbs and supplements such as fish oil, angelica, anise, arnica, capsicum, celery, chamomile, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, papain, red clover, and turmeric
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), tinzaparin (Innohep), fondaparinux (Arixtra), abciximab (ReoPro), eptifibatide (Integrilin), tirofiban (Aggrastat), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and cilostazol (Pletal)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), ketoprofen, nabumetone (Relafen), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), piroxicam (Feldene), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), oxaprozin (Daypro), and celecoxib (Celebrex)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.