Urokinase (ure-oh-KYE-nase)

Treats blood clots of the lung (pulmonary embolism). This medicine is not available in the United States as of October 2010.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®) or a pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, etodolac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Daypro®, Dolobid®, Feldene®, Indocin®, Motrin®, Orudis®, Relafen®, or Voltaren®).
• If you have a fever after receiving urokinase, do not use aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) to treat the fever unless your doctor tells you to.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease. Also make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had a stroke.
• Tell your doctor if you have recently had a baby, had major surgery, had a biopsy of one of your organs (such as your liver or kidney), or had gastric (stomach) bleeding such as a bleeding ulcer, colitis, or bleeding from your rectum.
• This medicine is made from donated human kidney cells. Some human blood or tissue products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them. The risk of getting a virus from medicines made of human blood or tissue has been greatly reduced in recent years. Although the risk is low, talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Bleeding from any part of your body, especially an incision, or where your IV needle is placed.
• Blood in your urine or stools.
• Chest pain.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Fast heartbeat, nausea, or vomiting.
• Fever, chills, or shaking.
• Muscle aches, pain, tenderness, or stiffness.
• Severe headache, lightheadedness, fainting, or problems with your vision.
• Shortness of breath, pale skin, or blue lips.
• Unusual bruising or discoloration of your fingers or toes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Sweating.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088