What is the Difference Between Alteplase and Tenecteplase

Alteplase remains the only FDA-approved thrombolytic for acute ischemic stroke. Tenecteplase, a modified tissue plasminogen activator, binds more selectively and has a longer half-life that allows it to be administered as a single bolus rather than the bolus and continuous infusion required for alteplase.

1. What is the difference between TPA and TNK?
2. Are alteplase and TPA the same?
3. What is tenecteplase used for?
4. Is tenecteplase FDA approved for stroke?
5. What is another name for tPA?
6. Who Cannot get tPA?
7. What is the best medication for stroke?
8. Which type of stroke is most common?
9. Is there an antidote for tPA?
10. How do you use tenecteplase?
11. What drugs are thrombolytics?
12. How do you administer tenecteplase?

What is the difference between TPA and TNK?

Health care professionals commonly refer to Activase as “TPA” or “t-PA.” However, these abbreviations have caused confusion with the shorthand “TNK” for TNKase, another tissue plasminogen activator that was approved in 2000, but only for acute myocardial infarction management.

Are alteplase and TPA the same?

“TPA” (or “tPA”) is the abbreviation commonly used for “tissue plasminogen activator.” However, health care professionals often use “TPA” to refer specifically to alteplase because it was the first FDA-approved recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator; in addition, alteplase is often referred to as “TPA” in ...

What is tenecteplase used for?

TNKase® (Tenecteplase) is indicated for use in the reduction of mortality associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after the onset of AMI symptoms (see CLINICAL STUDIES). The most common complication encountered during TNKase therapy is bleeding.

Is tenecteplase FDA approved for stroke?

While not FDA-approved for acute stroke, tenecteplase has theoretical advantages over alteplase as it has greater fibrin specificity and has a longer half-life than alteplase. It is the preferred thrombolytic agent for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the United States.

What is another name for tPA?

alteplase (TPA, Activase, Cathflo Activase)

Who Cannot get tPA?

As described in table 1, the most common documented reasons for not treating with tPA were mild or rapidly improving symptoms (51%); advanced age (7%); patient or family refusal (6%); CT findings of major infarct signs, intracerebral hemorrhage, or subarachnoid hemorrhage (6%); and platelets <100,000, partial ...

What is the best medication for stroke?

An IV injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) — also called alteplase (Activase) — is the gold standard treatment for ischemic stroke. An injection of tPA is usually given through a vein in the arm with the first three hours.

Which type of stroke is most common?

Hemorrhagic Stroke

There are two types of hemorrhagic strokes: Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when an artery in the brain bursts, flooding the surrounding tissue with blood. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a less common type of hemorrhagic stroke.

Is there an antidote for tPA?

The antidote for tPA in case of toxicity is aminocaproic acid.

How do you use tenecteplase?

TNKase^® (Tenecteplase) is for intravenous administration only. The recommended total dose should not exceed 50 mg and is based upon patient weight. A single bolus dose should be administered over 5 seconds based on patient weight.

What drugs are thrombolytics?

The most commonly used clot-busting drugs -- also known as thrombolytic agents -- include:

• Eminase (anistreplase)
• Retavase (reteplase)
• Streptase (streptokinase, kabikinase)
• t-PA (class of drugs that includes Activase)
• TNKase (tenecteplase)
• Abbokinase, Kinlytic (rokinase)

How do you administer tenecteplase?

Intravenous injection: Administer via a dedicated IV line in which no other medications are being simultaneously injected or infused. Reconstituted tenecteplase should be administered as a single IV bolus over 5 seconds. Precipitation may occur when tenecteplase is administered in an IV line containing dextrose.