Actilyse (Alteplase)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Actilyse Used For?
Actilyse contains alteplase, a medicine that dissolves dangerous blood clots that can cause life-threatening conditions.
Primary Uses
Actilyse treats conditions caused by blood clots including: heart attacks caused by blood clots in heart arteries, blood clots in lung arteries (pulmonary embolism), and strokes caused by blood clots in brain arteries (acute ischaemic stroke).
How It Works
Actilyse works by dissolving clots in blood vessels. These clots cause disease by blocking normal blood flow to vital organs.
Time Critical: Treatment must begin as soon as possible after symptoms start for best results
How to Take Actilyse
Actilyse is only given by doctors or healthcare professionals in a hospital setting through an intravenous drip.
Dosage Instructions
For heart attacks: 100 mg given over 90 or 180 minutes. For lung clots: 100 mg given over 120 minutes. For patients under 65 kg: lower dose of 1.5 mg/kg. For strokes: 0.9 mg/kg body weight over 60 minutes, maximum 90 mg. Your doctor determines the exact dose and timing.
Professional Administration Only: This medication is never self-administered and must be prepared and given by medical professionals
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Bruising at injection site
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Brain bleeding with symptoms like slurred speech, weakness, memory loss, seizures
- Bleeding from skin, mouth, gums, nose, eyes, or rectum
- Blood in urine or coughing up blood
- Heart problems including chest pain, irregular heartbeat
- Breathing difficulties and shortness of breath
- Allergic reactions with swelling, rash, difficulty breathing
- Cold, clammy skin and light-headedness
- Fluid retention and swollen ankles
Important Warnings
Actilyse significantly increases bleeding risk and has many serious contraindications that must be carefully evaluated.
Who Should Not Take Actilyse
Do not use if: allergic to alteplase, under 18 years old, currently bleeding or severe bleeding in past 6 months, family history of bleeding disorders, brain bleeding or suspected brain bleeding, recent surgery/trauma/medical procedures, uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, serious liver problems, or taking blood thinners like warfarin.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor about: previous heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, eye bleeding, high blood pressure, liver disease, recent medical procedures, any bleeding risks, infected injection sites, or if you’ve received Actilyse before.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Elderly Patients: Patients over 80 years have increased risk of side effects. Those over 70 with high blood pressure also have increased risks
Drug Interactions
Several medications can dangerously increase bleeding risk or cause serious allergic reactions when combined with Actilyse.
Blood Thinners: All blood-thinning medications significantly increase bleeding risk when used with Actilyse
- Aspirin (avoid for first 24 hours after treatment)
- Heparin and other blood thinners
- Warfarin
- ACE inhibitors (may increase allergic reaction risk)
Alcohol & Driving
Special precautions are needed after Actilyse treatment due to bleeding risk and potential side effects.
Movement Restrictions
Avoid unnecessary movement to prevent bleeding and bruising. Medical staff will limit injections and movement unless absolutely necessary.
Getting Up Slowly
If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint when getting up, rise slowly. This helps your body adjust to position and blood pressure changes.
Storage
Actilyse comes as a sterile white powder in glass vials that must be mixed with sterile water before use. Storage is handled by healthcare facilities as this is a hospital-only medication.
Overdose Information
Overdose is unlikely since Actilyse is given under medical supervision. Overdose symptoms include serious bleeding. If overdose occurs, doctors will immediately stop treatment and provide appropriate care to control bleeding and replace lost blood if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Actilyse must be given as soon as possible after symptoms start. For strokes, it must be within 4.5 hours of symptom onset for safety and effectiveness.
No, you should not take aspirin for the first 24 hours after Actilyse treatment. Your doctor may give you heparin injections if needed during this time.
Watch for signs of bleeding including unusual bruising, blood in urine or stool, coughing up blood, severe headache, slurred speech, or weakness. Contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
Actilyse increases bleeding and bruising risk, so medical staff will avoid unnecessary movement, injections, or procedures to prevent complications.
Patients over 80 years have increased risk of side effects. Those over 70 with high blood pressure also face higher risks, which doctors carefully consider before treatment.
Allergic reactions can include difficulty breathing, swelling of face or throat, rash, or hives. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
No, Actilyse is only used for strokes caused by blood clots (ischaemic strokes), not strokes caused by brain bleeding (hemorrhagic strokes).
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.