Products
Tenecteplase is commercially available as an injectable (metalysis). The drug has been approved in many countries since 2000.
Structure and properties
Tenecteplase is a recombinant fibrin-specific plasminogen activator produced by biotechnological methods. The glycoprotein consists of 527 amino acids. The sequence is modified from native tissue-specific plasminogen activator (t-PA) at three sites.
Effects
Tenecteplase (ATC B01AD11) has thrombolytic and fibrinolytic properties. It binds to the fibrin of the blood clot and converts plasminogen to plasmin, leading to dissolution of the thrombus. Tenecteplase, unlike alteplase, is more specific for fibrin and is less inactivated by PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), resulting in a longer half-life.
Indications
For thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction.
Dosage
According to the SmPC. The drug should be injected intravenously as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms.
Contraindications
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include bleeding.
