Cathflo Activase Side Effects – Causes and Effects

By
Frank K. Norman, Pharmacologist
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0

Category: Thrombolytics

Drug Name: Cathflo Activase

General Usage: Thrombolytics

Brief Info about Cathflo Activase in Drug:

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Generic name of this drug is Alteplase. It is marketed under a brand name known as Cathflo Activase.

Cathflo Activase is tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) that acts by breaking unwanted blood clots.

This medicine is used to restore function to central venous access devices that have been clogged by clotted blood. 

Cathflo Activase Side Effects Explained Better:

Medicines are believed to be helpful for human beings because they are used to treat a variety of syndromes or diseases but they can also be very harmful at the same time if they are used wrongly, taking it in a large amount or small dosages. Drugs kick up unwanted effects besides their positive effects. Modern medical technology can also be damaging to a human being but this effect is not limited to health.

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any herbal preparation, over the counter medications, have allergies to foods or medicines, have blood problems like blood clotting problems, thrombocytopenia or severe kidney or liver diseases etc.

Look at the side effects caused by overdose, prolonged use of drugs & drug interactions. Frequent and infrequent side effects are also mentioned below.

Frequent Cathflo Activase Side Effects (Commonly Seen)-

Actually, no common side effects have been known so far while using this drug. Tell your doctor about any new unexpected symptoms you think are caused by a medicine- prescription or non prescription that you take. You may need to change medicines or have a dose adjustment.

Infrequent Cathflo Activase Side Effects (Professional Point of View)-

  • Symptoms of allergic reactions-
    • Rashes
    • Itching
    • Swelling of mouth, face, tongue, throat or lips
    • Tightness in the chest
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Hives
  • Bloody or black stools
  • Tenderness or calf pain
  • Chest pain
  • Speech problems
  • Bloody vomit
  • sudden shortness of breath or Difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Coughing up blood
  • Easy or unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Fever
  • Rapid, slow, or erratic heartbeat
  • Changes in vision
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Redness
  • One sided weakness
  • Pain or swelling at the catheter site
  • Severe bleeding

As you feel any of these above listed symptoms, you must make a move to your medical health provider to get rid of them at once before the condition becomes bothersome.

Cathflo Activase Overdose Side Effects (Require Immediate Medical Attention)-

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Symptoms may include-

  • Unusual bleeding

Follow your doctor’s directions on when to decrease your dose, take it less often, or halt taking it. Get medical attention right off & do not consume in more of the medication.

Cathflo Activase Drug Interaction Side Effects (Due to Reaction with Other drugs)-

It is your health & your money that are at the risk. You and your doctor are –or should be working together to make you well and keep you healthy. So, never hesitate to discuss any issue with your doctor regarding the drug.

Inform your doctor if you are using below listed medicines because they can interact with Cathflo Activase-

  • Abciximab, anticoagulants such as- Warfarin, Heparin
  • Aspirin
  • Dipyridamole

In presence of above listed drugs risk of severe side effects like bleeding may be increased.

  • Nitrates such as- Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate

In presence of above mentioned drugs the effectiveness of Alteplase may be reduced.

If you have a problem with drinking or drugs, discuss it with your doctor to manage it. There are many ways to help you overcome such a problem because alcohols or drugs of abuse defeat the purpose of many drugs. Check with your doctor before you commence, halt, or change the dose of any drug.

Cathflo Activase Prolonged Use Side Effects (When Used for Longer Periods)-

Prolonged use of medicines can reduce their effectiveness, causing a reduced response to the same dose over time. This causes an increase in the quantity of medicine taken in order to achieve the same response, as well increasing the tendency & frequency of unwanted effects from the medicine.