adj. describing a group of drugs that are capable of breaking down the protein fibrin (see fibrinolysis), which is the main constituent of blood clots, and are therefore used to disperse blood clots (thrombi) that have formed within the circulation, most notably after myocardial infarction. They include *streptokinase, *urokinase, *alteplase, reteplase, and tenecteplase. Possible side-effects include bleeding at needle puncture sites, headache, backache, blood spots in the skin, and allergic reactions.... fibrinolytic
(tPA, TPA) a natural protein, found in the body and able to be manufactured by genetic engineering, that can break up a thrombus (see thrombolysis). It requires the presence of *fibrin as a cofactor and is able to activate *plasminogen on the fibrin surface, which distinguishes it from the other plasminogen activators, *streptokinase and *urokinase. tPAs include reteplase and tenecteplase, given to treat acute myocardial infarction, and *alteplase.... tissue-type plasminogen activator
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