U.S. flag An official website of the United States government
  1. Home
  2. Drug Databases
  3. Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes

Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

Get Email Alerts | Guide

ACTIVASE (BLA-103172)

(ALTEPLASE)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

Download Data

Expand all

02/28/2018 (SUPPL-5259)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

Additions and/or revisions underlined;

5.1 Bleeding

If serious bleeding occurs, terminate the Activase infusion and treat appropriately. In the following conditions …

5.2 Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity, including urticarial / anaphylactic reactions have been reported after administration of Activase (e.g., laryngeal edema, rash and shock). Rare fatal outcome for hypersensitivity was reported. Angioedema has been observed during and up to 2 hours …

Monitor patients treated with Activase during and for several hours after infusion for hypersensitivity. If signs of hypersensitivity occur, e.g. anaphylactoid reaction or angioedema develops, discontinue …

Newly added subsection:

5.3 Thromboembolism

The use of thrombolytics can increase the risk of thrombo-embolic events in patients with high likelihood of left heart thrombus, such as patients with mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation. Activase has not been shown to treat adequately underlying deep vein thrombosis in patients with PE. Consider the possible risk of re-embolization due to the lysis of underlying deep venous thrombi in this setting.

6 Adverse Reactions

Additions and/or revisions underlined:

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in the other sections of the label:

  • Hypersensitivity

  • Thromboembolism

6.2 Post-Marketing Experience

Acute Ischemic Stroke: Cerebral edema, cerebral herniation, seizure, new ischemic stroke, embolism. These events …

8 Use in Specific Populations

8.1 Pregnancy

PLLR conversion, additions underlined:

Risk Summary

Published studies and case reports on alteplase use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. Alteplase is embryocidal in rabbits when intravenously administered during organogenesis at the clinical exposure for AMI, but no maternal or fetal toxicity was evident at lower exposure in pregnant rats or rabbits.

All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Maternal Adverse Reactions

The most common complication of thrombolytic therapy is bleeding. Pregnancy may increase this risk.

Data

Animal Data

Alteplase is embryocidal in rabbits when administered intravenously during organogenesis in doses (3 mg/kg) approximately equal to the human exposure (based on AUC) at the dose for AMI. No maternal or fetal toxicity was evident at doses (1 mg/kg) approximately 0.3 times the human exposure. In pregnant rats, no maternal or fetal toxicity was evident at doses (1 mg/kg) approximately 0.6 times the human dose for AMI (based on body weight) dosed during the period of organogenesis.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of alteplase in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.

06/30/2017 (SUPPL-5253)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

5.1 Bleeding

(additions underlined)

Activase can cause significant, sometimes fatal, internal or external bleeding, especially at arterial and venous puncture sites. Avoid intramuscular injections and trauma to the patient while on Activase. Perform venipunctures carefully and only as required. To minimize bleeding from noncompressible sites, avoid internal jugular and subclavian venous punctures. If an arterial puncture is necessary during Activase infusion, use an upper extremity vessel that is accessible to manual compression, apply pressure for at least 30 minutes, and monitor the puncture site closely.