What it means
Shorthand, written TPA or tPA, for tissue plasminogen activator, the clot-dissolving (thrombolytic) drug alteplaseAL-tuh-playsA clot-dissolving drug (thrombolytic) given IV; a man-made form of tissue plasminogen activator.Full entry (Activase), used for stroke, pulmonary embolism and blocked catheters. ISMP lists TPA and tPA as error-prone because they have been confused with TNK (tenecteplase), a different clot-dissolving drug with a different dose, and with TXA (tranexamic acid), which does the opposite.
For the nurse
Write and say "alteplase" in full and double-check the drug and dose against the order and the client's weight. Thrombolytics are on ISMP's high-alert list.
At a glance
| Also written | tPA, t-PA |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
Related terms
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
alteplase
A clot-dissolving drug (thrombolytic) given IV; a man-made form of tissue plasminogen activator.
TXA
An abbreviation for tranexamic acid, a drug that slows the breakdown of blood clots; ISMP advises writing the full name.
TNK
An abbreviation for TNKase (tenecteplase), a clot-dissolving drug; ISMP advises writing the full drug name.