Alteplase is a recombinant plasminogen activator present in human tissue, also known as Activase, Cathflo and Cathflo Activase used to treat emergencies such as myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and pulmonary emboli. It is administered intravenously and goes to act on plasminogen which acts on fibrin clots to degrade them into fibrin degradation products known as fibrinolysis. Alteplase binds to fibrin and cleaves an arginine-valine bond of plasminogen converting it into its active form and acting on the fibrin matrix. It is metabolized by the liver through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Due to its nature of anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity herbs and supplements with similar activity should be avoided such as garlic, ginger, bilberry, danshen, piracetam and ginkgo biloba.

Alteplase Pathway References