Word parts
What it means
A group of drugs, also called fibrinolytics or "clot busters", that turn plasminogen into plasmin, which breaks down the fibrin holding a clot together. They are used for some ischemic strokes, heart attacks and large pulmonary emboli, and to clear blocked catheters. Examples are alteplaseAL-tuh-playsA clot-dissolving drug (thrombolytic) given IV; a man-made form of tissue plasminogen activator.Full entry , tenecteplase and reteplase. Unlike anticoagulantan-tee-koh-AG-yoo-luntA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.anti- againstcoagul/o clotting-ant an agent that doesFull entry s, which stop clots from forming or growing, thrombolytics break up existing clots.
For the nurse
Bleeding is the main risk, including bleeding in the brain. Check neuro status and vital signs very often during and after the infusion, avoid needle sticks and IM injections, and report a sudden headache, change in alertness or any bleeding at once. ISMP lists thrombolytics as high-alert medications.
At a glance
| Drug class | thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | trombolítico |
| Also written | thrombolytics, fibrinolytic, fibrinolytics, clot buster, clot busters, thrombolytic therapy |
Easy to confuse with
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
Related terms
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
thromb/o
A word part that means blood clot.
-lysis
A word ending that means breaking down, loosening or destroying.
alteplase
A clot-dissolving drug (thrombolytic) given IV; a man-made form of tissue plasminogen activator.