Urokinase

Generic name: urokinase [ URE-oh-KYE-nase ]
Brand names: Kinlytic, Abbokinase, Abbokinase Open-Cath
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (250000 intl units)
Drug class:Thrombolytics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 21, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is urokinase?

Urokinase is a thrombolytic (THROM-bo-LIT-ik) drug, sometimes called a "clot-busting" drug. It helps your body produce a substance that dissolves unwanted blood clots.

Urokinase is used to treat blood clots in the lungs.

Urokinase may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

If possible before you receive urokinase, tell your doctor if you have a brain tumor or aneurysm, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, high blood pressure, or if you have recently had a stroke, brain or spinal surgery, or medical emergency requiring CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received urokinase.

Before taking this medicine

You should not be treated with urokinase if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• active bleeding inside your body;

• a brain tumor or blood vessel disorder;

• a brain aneurysm (dilated blood vessel);

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (such as hemophilia);

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• if you have had a recent medical emergency requiring CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation); or

• if you have had a stroke, brain surgery, or spinal surgery within in the past 2 months.

If possible before you receive urokinase, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of stroke;

• severe liver or kidney disease;

• eye problems caused by diabetes;

• an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis);

• a blood clot of your heart;

• a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;

• if you are pregnant or have had a baby within the past 10 days; or

• if you have had surgery or an organ transplant within the past 10 days.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

Urokinase is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefi...