Medications and Drugs

1. Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Slideshow Pictures
2. Slideshow: Atrial Fibrillation Causes, Tests, and Treatment
3. Take the Heart Disease Quiz!

Brand Names: TNKase

Generic Name: tenecteplase (Pronunciation: ten EK te plase)

• What is tenecteplase (TNKase)?
• What are the possible side effects of tenecteplase (TNKase)?
• What is the most important information I should know about tenecteplase (TNKase)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive tenecteplase (TNKase)?
• How is tenecteplase given (TNKase)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (TNKase)?
• What happens if I overdose (TNKase)?
• What should I after receiving tenecteplase (TNKase)?
• What other drugs will affect tenecteplase (TNKase)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is tenecteplase (TNKase)?

Tenecteplase is in a group of drugs called tissue plasminogen activators (TPAs). It works by causing the body to over-produce a substance called plasmin to dissolve unwanted blood clots.

Tenecteplase is used to prevent death from a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction).

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

What are the possible side effects of tenecteplase (TNKase)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• blood in your urine or stools;
• nosebleed, coughing up blood;
• bleeding from a recent injury or surgery incision;
• bleeding around the IV needle;
• fast, slow, or uneven heart rate; or
• feeling like you might pass out.

Rare but serious side effects may include:

• purple discoloration of your legs or toes;
• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;
• sudden numbness, weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
• muscle pain or tenderness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine;
• pain or unusual sensations in your back;
• numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet;
• muscle weakness or loss of use; or
• loss of bowel or bladder control.

Less serious side effects may include mild nausea or dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about tenecteplase (TNKase)?

You should not receive this medication if you have internal bleeding, brain cancer or aneurysm, a history of stroke, a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, or if you have had brain or spinal cord injury or surgery within the past 2 months.

Before you are treated with tenecteplase, tell your doctor if you have a blood vessel disorder of the eye, severe liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, an infection of the lining of your heart (also called bacterial endocarditis), a recent history of stomach or urinary bleeding, if you have recently had a baby, or if you have recently had a serious injury or major surgery.

Also tell your doctor if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), or other medications to treat or prevent blood clots.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as blood in your urine or stools, nosebleed, coughing up blood, bleeding from a skin wound or the IV needle, fast or slow heart rate, or feeling like you might pass out.

Tenecteplase may cause rare but serious side effects such as: purple discoloration of your legs or toes, sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, chest pain or heavy feeling, urinating less than usual or not at all, muscle pain or tenderness, dark colored urine, unusual sensations in your back, numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, muscle weakness or loss of use, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

Tenecteplase can cause you to have unusual results with blood tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received tenecteplase.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.