Streptokinase

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[[Image:|220px|Streptokinase chemical structure]]
Streptokinase
Systematic (IUPAC) name
Streptococci streptokinase
Identifiers
CAS number	9002-01-1
ATC code	B01AD01 B06AA55
PubChem	?
DrugBank	BTD00028
Chemical data
Formula	C2100H3278N566O669S4
Mol. weight	47286.7 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

Streptokinase is an extracellular metallo-enzyme produced by beta-haemolytic streptococcus and is used as an effective and cheap clot-dissolving medication in some cases of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and pulmonary embolism.

It belongs to a group of medications known as fibrinolytics, and works by activating plasminogen through cleavage to produce plasmin. The half life of streptokinase is six hours.

Plasmin is produced in the blood to break down the major constituent of blood clots fibrin, therefore dissolving clots once they have fulfilled their purpose in stopping bleeding. Extra production of plasmin caused by streptokinase breaks down unwanted blood clots, for example, in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

It is given intravenously as soon as possible after the onset of a heart attack (acute phase - myocardial infarction) to dissolve clots in the arteries of the heart wall. This reduces the amount of damage to the heart muscle. Streptokinase is a bacterial product so the body will build up an immunity to it. It is recommended that this medication should not be used again after four days from the first administration, as it may not be as effective and can also cause an allergic reaction. For this reason, it is usually given only for a person's first heart attack.

Antithrombotics (thrombolytics, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs) (B01) edit
Vitamin K antagonists:	Acenocoumarol, Clorindione, Dicumarol (Dicoumarol}, Diphenadione, Ethyl biscoumacetate, Phenprocoumon, Phenindione, Tioclomarol, Warfarin
Heparin group (Platelet aggregation inhibitors):	Antithrombin III, Bemiparin, Dalteparin, Danaparoid, Enoxaparin, Heparin, Nadroparin, Parnaparin, Reviparin, Sulodexide, Tinzaparin
Other Platelet aggregation inhibitors:	Abciximab, Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), Aloxiprin, Beraprost, Ditazole, Carbasalate calcium, Cloricromen, Clopidogrel, Dipyridamole, Epoprostenol, Eptifibatide, Indobufen, Iloprost, Picotamide, Prasugrel, Ticlopidine, Tirofiban, Treprostinil, Triflusal
Enzymes:	Alteplase, Ancrod, Anistreplase, Brinase, Drotrecogin alfa, Fibrinolysin, Protein C, Reteplase, Saruplase, Streptokinase, Tenecteplase, Urokinase
Direct thrombin inhibitors:	Argatroban, Bivalirudin, Dabigatran, Desirudin, Hirudin, Lepirudin, Melagatran, Ximelagatran
Other antithrombotics:	Dabigatran, Defibrotide, Dermatan sulfate, Fondaparinux, Rivaroxaban
Non-medicinal:	Citrate, EDTA, Oxalate