Urokinase is a medication used to manage a potentially life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism, a condition in which blood clots are located in your lung's blood vessels. According to Drugs.com, urokinase is a tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves these clots. Typically, a loading dose (first large dose) of 4,400 IU/kg of urokinase is given as an intravenous (through the vein) infusion at a rate of 90mL per hour for ten minutes, says the National Library of Medicine. The same dosage is then repeated at a rate of 15 mL for about twelve hours.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, urokinase's common side effects include bleeding. Your gums and nose can bleed. You may coughing up blood, experience increased vaginal bleeding or menstruation, bloody or black stools and bloody urine. Bloody stools are a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (of your esophagus or small intestine) while black stools are indicative of lower intestinal bleeding (of the large intestines or rectum). Urokinase's other common side effects include dizziness and a headache. If the bleeding does not subside within one to two days, call your doctor immediately.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that urokinase's potentially life-threatening effects include intracranial (of the brain and skull) hemorrhage and retroperitoneal (abdominal cavity) hemorrhage. Intracranial hemorrhage symptoms include a severe headache, nausea, visual problems and loss of consciousness. Symptoms of a retroperitoneal hemorrhage include severe stomach pain, nausea and sweating. Call 911--you are suffering from internal bleeding. At the hospital, you will receive packed red blood cells to replace the blood lost and fresh frozen plasma (your blood's liquid component) and cryoprecipitate (contains special blood cells called fibrinogen) to stop your bleeding tendencies.
Also, urokinase may cause cholesterol embolization. Cholesterol is a waxy and fatty substance that typically builds up in your blood vessels if you eat too many fatty foods. Sometimes, urokinase can cause cholesterol movement from one part of your body to another. This is medically known as embolization. For example, cholesterol lodged in your leg's blood vessels can move to your toes. It can also move to your heart and cause a heart attack. It may move to your brain and cause a stroke. Call 911 if you experience sudden chest pain and experience sudden numbness or tingling on one side of your body.
Additional Concerns
Avoid urokinase if you are allergic to it or any other tissue plasminogen activators as trouble breathing, hives and facial or throat swelling can ensue. Do not take urokinase if you have bleeding disorders, heart, liver or kidney disease, a stroke and recent brain or spinal surgery because urokinase can exacerbate these situations.
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