Blood drugs

Question 1

Alteplase-

Thrombolytic drug

Answer 1

Mechanism- This drug initiates Fibrinolysis, whereby it causes plasminogen to be converted into plasmin which is an enzyme. This then causes plasmin to break down into fibrin.This drug is said to be selective.

Pharmacokinetics- Alteplase has a very short half-life (5 to 30 minutes) and, therefore, is administered as a total dose equal to 0.9 mg/ kg. Ten percent of the total dose is injected intravenously as a bolus and the remaining drug is administered over 60 minutes.

Side effects- Bleeding complications, including GI and cerebral hemorrhages, may occur.

Question 2

Aprotinin - stop bleeding

Answer 2

Mechanism- It slows down the fibinolysis pathway by blocking plasmin

Side effects and cautions- Aprotinin has a lim- ited-use agreement for investigational use in patients at risk for blood loss and transfusion during coronary artery bypass and graft surgery, if no other alternative is available. Aprotinin may cause renal dysfunc- tion and hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions. In addition, aprotinin should not be administered to patients who have already been exposed to this drug within the previous 12 months, due to the possibility of ana- phylactic reactions.

Question 3

Warfarin

Answer 3

Mechanism- Reduces vit K and coverts this into vitamin K epoxide. As vitamin K is needed for most protein coagulation factors (Factors II, VII, IX, and X ) This process takes place in the liver