Alteplase, sold under the brand name Activase among others, is a biosynthetic form of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). It is a thrombolytic medication used to treat acute ischemic stroke, acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack), pulmonary embolism associated with low blood pressure, and blocked central venous catheter.[3] Alteplase is given by injection into a vein or artery.[3] Alteplase is the same as the normal human plasminogen activator produced in vascular endothelial cells[4] and is synthesized via recombinant DNA technology in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO). Alteplase causes the breakdown of a clot by inducing fibrinolysis.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5]