Drotrecogin alfa

Who is Drotrecogin alfa for ?

Drotrecogin alfa is used for treating severe sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition that involves severe blood infections, blood clots, and organ failure). Drotrecogin alfa is a protein, called activated protein C. It works to help prevent formation of blood clots during sepsis. Drotrecogin alfa may help reduce death.

Drotrecogin alfa can only be given in the hospital. The drug will be injected into a vein (intravenously) continually for a total of four days. Your doctor will determine whether Drotrecogin alfa can be given to you. It is important to remember that Drotrecogin alfa can only help prevent the formation of blood clots and that it cannot help treat the infection which caused the severe sepsis.

When should I be careful taking Drotrecogin alfa ?

Before using Drotrecogin alfa,

• the doctor should be made aware if you are allergic to Drotrecogin or any other drugs
• the doctor should be made aware if you recently had a stroke, a brain or spinal cord surgery, a severe head injury, brain tumor, liver disease, bleeding in the stomach or intestines or any other bleeding disorder
• the doctor should be made aware if you have taken warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin in the last seven days
• the doctor should be made aware of what other medications you are taking
• the doctor should know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding

Drotrecogin alfa Side Effects

The most common side effect from Drotrecogin alfa is bleeding. Your doctor or a healthcare provider will monitor you several times a day while receiving the infusion of Drotrecogin alfa to check for any signs or symptoms of bleeding. Let your doctor know immediately if you notice any of the following:

• unusual bleeding from the nose, gums or any other area of your body
• easy bruising
• redish or pink discoloration of urine
• black, tarry stools

There is also a chance of developing bleeding in the brain. If you do start to bleed, the doctor will stop the Drotrecogin alfa infusion and if it is necessary, will also give you packed red blood cells to help stop the bleeding.