Retavase (Reteplase) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Retavase

Heart Attack »

Heart attack facts

A heart attack results when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle and heart muscle dies.
The blood clot that causes the heart attack usually forms at the site of rupture of an atherosclerotic, cholesterol plaque on the inner wall of a coronary artery.
The most common symptom of heart attack is chest pain.
The most common complications of a heart attack are heart failure and ventricular fibrillation.
The risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart attack include elevated cholesterol levels, increased blood pressure, tobacco use, diabetes, male gender, and a family history of heart attacks at an early age.
Heart attacks are diagnosed with electrocardiograms and measurement of cardiac enzymes in blood.
Early reopening of blocked coronary arteries reduces the amount of damage to the heart and im...

Read the Heart Attack article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Retavase

Heart Disease Slideshow Pictures

Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection

Take the Heart Disease Quiz!

font size

Retavase Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive retaplase (Retavase)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to retaplase, or if you have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

any active bleeding;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a brain tumor, aneurysm, or blood vessel disorder;
untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
a history of stroke or blood clot; or
recent spine or brain injury or surgery.

Before you receive retaplase, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease;
liver disease;
eye complications caused by diabetes;
an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis); or
if you have had any recent surgery, injury, or major bleeding.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this medicaiton.

FDA pregnancy category C. Retaplase may be harmful to an unborn baby. Before receiving this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether retaplase passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.