Streptokinase

Danger

H334 (100%): May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled [Danger Sensitization, respiratory]

P233, P260, P271, P284, P304+P340, P342+P316, P403, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 131 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Allergic reactions and bleeding are common adverse events related to streptokinase. The GISSI study demonstrated a 3.4% incidence of minor bleeding. The ISSI-2 study demonstrates a 0.4% incidence of significant bleeding. Patients may experience transient bradycardia or hypotension, with an incidence of 10%. Streptokinase is derived from bacterial proteins and thus can result in allergic reactions. Allergic reactions have been noted in up to 4.4% of patients and may present with fever, shivering, or rash. In rare cases, anaphylaxis may occur, which appears to be IgE mediated. Patients who develop anaphylactic signs and symptoms should promptly discontinue treatment and receive epinephrine.

Streptokinase can precipitate an allergic reaction. Symptoms include fever, shivering, and rash. Patients in rare instances have developed nonfatal anaphylactic reactions. In cases of anaphylaxis, patients should be administered epinephrine immediately and discontinue streptokinase therapy. The toxicity of streptokinase is believed to be because it is a polypeptide derivative of beta-hemolytic streptococci bacteria.

B - Blood and blood forming organs

QB - Blood and blood forming organs

B01AD01

Streptokinase creates an active complex which promotes the cleavage of the Arg/Val bond in plasminogen to form the proteolytic enzyme plasmin. Plasmin in turn degrades the fibrin matrix of the thrombus, thereby exerting its thrombolytic action. This helps eliminate blood clots or arterial blockages that cause myocardial infarction.

Plasminogen is an inactive molecule that becomes activated to plasmin when the Arg/Val bond is cleaved. Plasmin breaks down fibrin clots created by the blood clotting cascade. Streptokinase forms a highly specific 1:1 enzymatic complex with plasminogen which converts inactive plasminogen molecules into active plasmin. Plasmin degrades fibrin clots as well as fibrinogen and other plasma proteins. This in turn leads to the degradation of blood clots.

Free toxin may be removed by opsonization via the reticuloendothelial system (primarily the liver and kidneys) or it may be degraded through cellular internalization via the lysosomes. Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed organelles that contain an array of digestive enzymes, including several proteases.