Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CATHFLO ACTIVASE versus RETAVASE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CATHFLO ACTIVASE versus RETAVASE.
CATHFLO ACTIVASE vs RETAVASE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Tissue plasminogen activator that converts plasminogen to plasmin, leading to fibrinolysis.
Reteplase is a recombinant non-glycosylated form of tissue plasminogen activator that binds to fibrin and converts plasminogen to plasmin, leading to fibrinolysis.
2 mg via intracatheter instillation, dwell for 2 hours, then aspirate; may repeat once if occlusion persists. For occluded central venous access devices only.
10 IU (two 5 IU vials) administered as two separate IV bolus injections, each over 2 minutes, given 30 minutes apart.
None Documented
None Documented
Initial half-life: 4–6 minutes (alpha phase); terminal half-life: 30–50 minutes (beta phase). Clinical context: Rapid clearance from plasma; effects on fibrinogen depletion persist for 12–24 hours.
Mean terminal elimination half-life: 3.0–4.5 hours (range 1.5–6.0 hours). Clinical context: The short half-life reduces bleeding risk compared to longer-acting thrombolytics; re-administration may be needed for sustained effect.
Primarily hepatic metabolism; renal excretion of inactive metabolites accounts for <5% of the dose. Biliary/fecal elimination is minimal (<1%).
Primarily hepatic metabolism; no significant renal or biliary excretion of active drug. Elimination is via proteolytic degradation with subsequent renal excretion of inactive metabolites.
Category C
Category C
Thrombolytic Agent
Thrombolytic Agent