tenecteplase

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: ten EK te plase

Brand: TNKase

What is the most important information I should know about tenecteplase?

If possible before you receive tenecteplase, tell your doctor if you have a brain tumor or aneurysm, high blood pressure, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, a history of stroke, or if you have recently had a head injury or surgery on your brain or spinal cord.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received this medicine.

What is tenecteplase?

Tenecteplase is a thrombolytic (THROM-bo-LIT-ik) drug, sometimes called a "clot-busting" drug. It helps your body produce a substance that dissolves unwanted blood clots.

Tenecteplase is used to prevent death in people who have had a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction).

Tenecteplase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive tenecteplase?

You should not be treated with tenecteplase if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • active bleeding inside your body;
  • a recent history of medical trauma or injury;
  • severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
  • a genetic disorder affecting the blood vessels in your brain;
  • a brain tumor, blood vessel disorder, or aneurysm (dilated blood vessel);
  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);
  • a history of stroke; or
  • if you have had brain or spinal cord injury or surgery within the past 2 months.

If possible before you receive tenecteplase, tell your doctor if you have:

  • a past history of strokes;
  • a recent history of bleeding in your brain, stomach, intestines, or urinary tract;
  • high blood pressure;
  • heart problems;
  • an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • eye problems caused by diabetes;
  • severe bruising or infection around a vein where an IV was placed;
  • if you are pregnant or have recently had a baby;
  • if you have recently had an organ biopsy; or
  • if you have recently had a serious injury or major surgery.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

How is tenecteplase given?

Tenecteplase is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tenecteplase is usually given as soon as possible after the first signs of heart attack occur.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received tenecteplase.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since tenecteplase is used as a single dose, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving tenecteplase?

Ask your doctor before taking aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) shortly after you have received tenecteplase. These medications can increase your risk of bleeding.

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

What are the possible side effects of tenecteplase?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tenecteplase increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop. Bleeding may occur from a surgical incision, or from the skin where a needle was inserted during a blood test or while receiving injectable medication. You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines, kidneys or bladder, brain, or within the muscles.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of bleeding inside your body, such as:

  • easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bleeding from a wound, incision, catheter, or needle injection);
  • bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • red or pink urine; or
  • sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
  • swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating;
  • severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
  • darkening or purple discoloration of your fingers or toes;
  • very slow heartbeats, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed;
  • sudden severe back pain, muscle weakness, numbness or loss of feeling in your arms or legs,
  • dangerously high blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats; or
  • pancreatitis --severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting; or
  • fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect tenecteplase?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • a blood thinner (heparin, warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
  • medication used to prevent blood clots --dipyridamole, eptifibatide, tirofiban, vorapaxar.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tenecteplase, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about tenecteplase.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision date: 3/6/2017.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.