Streptase vs. Retavase

• Are Streptase and Retavase the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Streptase?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Retavase?
• What Is Streptase?
• What Is Retavase?
• What Drugs Interact with Streptase?
• What Drugs Interact with Retavase?
• How Should Streptase Be Taken?
• How Should Retavase Be Taken?

Streptase (streptokinase) and Retavase (reteplase) are thrombolytic drugs used to dissolve blood clots to improve heart function and prevent congestive heart failure or death in people who have had a heart attack.

Streptase is also used in the treatment of lung blood clots (pulmonary embolism) as well as leg blood clots (deep venous thrombosis-DVT).

Streptase and Retavase are different types of thrombolytic drugs. Streptase is an enzyme and Retavase is a recombinant plasminogen activator (r-PA).

The brand name drug Streptase is no longer available in the U.S. Generic forms may be available.

Side effects of Streptase and Retavase that are similar include nausea and fever.

Side effects of Streptase that are different from Retavase include headache, dizziness, low blood pressure, bleeding from wounds or gums, rash, itching, flushing, muscle or bone pain, shivering, allergic reactions, and nerve damage.

Side effects of Retavase that are different from Streptase include vomiting, injection site bleeding, blood in the urine, bloody or tarry stools, stomach pain, or vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Both Streptase and Retavase may interact with blood thinners, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and retavase.

Common side effects of Streptase include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• low blood pressure,
• mild fever,
• bleeding from wounds or gums,
• rash,
• itching,
• flushing,
• muscle or bone pain,
• shivering, and
• allergic reactions.

Streptase can also cause nerve damage.

Common side effects of Retavase include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• injection site bleeding,
• blood in the urine,
• bloody or tarry stools,
• stomach pain, or
• vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Streptase (streptokinase) is an enzyme used in the treatment of heart attack or lung blood clots (pulmonary embolism) as well as leg blood clots (deep venous thrombosis-DVT). The brand name drug Streptase is no longer available in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Retavase (reteplase) is a thrombolytic drug used to dissolve blood clots used to improve heart function and prevent congestive heart failure or death in people who have had a heart attack.

Streptase may interact with blood thinners, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or retavase. Drugs that can reverse effects of streptokinase include aminocaproic acid, aprotinin, and tranexamic acid. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Retavase may interact with blood thinners, aspirin, or medications used to prevent blood clots. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Retavase should be taken only if prescribed. It may be harmful to a fetus. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Streptase (streptokinase) is given by injection by a health care professional. Dose is dependent upon the condition of the patient and response to treatment.

Retavase is for intravenous administration only. It is administered in a 10 +10 unit double-bolus injection dose. Two 10 unit bolus injections are required for a complete treatment.