Follow the steps below for reconstituting 100-mg vials.6
Remove protective caps and swab the top of each vial with a separate alcohol wipe to reduce the risk of contamination.
REMOVE CAPS
CLEANING
Remove one of the protective caps from the transfer device and insert the piercing pin vertically into the center of the stopper of the SWFI vial, keeping the vial upright. Do not invert water vial yet. Inverting too early may lead to leakage and incorrect dosing. Remove the other protective cover from the transfer device. Do not wipe transfer device spikes with alcohol. Holding the Activase vial upside down, position it so that the center of the stopper is directly over the exposed pin of the transfer device. Push vial down onto the transfer device, ensuring that the piercing pin is inserted through the center of the Activase vial stopper. Inserting the spike off-center could lead to stopper collapse.
INSERT TRANSFER PIN IN SWFI VIAL
INSERT ACTIVASE VIAL ON OTHER END OF PIN
PUSH DOWN
Invert the 2 vials, so that the vial of Activase is on the bottom (upright) and the vial of SWFI is upside down. Allow the entire contents of the vial of SWFI to flow down through the transfer device into the vial containing Activase. If flow does not start immediately or pauses, initiate flow by flipping and re-inverting the vials.
INVERT VIALS
Mix the solution with a gentle swirl. Do not shake vials. Shaking may lead to excessive foaming and degraded medication. Slight foaming of the solution is normal. Let the solution stand undisturbed for several minutes to allow any large bubbles to dissipate. Remove the transfer device and the empty SWFI vial from the Activase vial. Safely discard both the transfer device and the empty diluent vial according to institutional procedures.
MIX GENTLY
DISCARD PIN AND SWFI VIAL
Please see the full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information and Instructions for Use.
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Activase [prescribing information]. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc.
Activase [prescribing information]. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech, Inc.
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Food and Drug Administration. FDA information on medication errors involving Activase and TNKase. September 2015. Available at http://www.fda.gov. Accessed on February 24, 2023.
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Data on file. Genentech USA. No Title.
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This video presents an overview of the steps required to diagnose acute ischemic stroke, including brain imaging. It also describes patient eligibility for Activase® treatment and presents some recommendations on how to enhance the efficacy of a stroke program.
This video provides a demonstration of the appropriate reconstitution, dosing, and administration of Activase for eligible acute ischemic stroke patients.
Step 1: Remove the protective cap from the top of the Activase vial and the vial of SWFI. Swab the top of each vial with an alcohol wipe to reduce the risk of contamination.
Step 2: Using the large-bore needle and syringe, withdraw 50 mL of SWFI. Do not use Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP. Do not prime the syringe with air. Safely discard the diluent vial according to institutional procedures.
Step 3: Insert the syringe into the stopper on the 50-mg vial of Activase and inject the contents, directing the stream into the lyophilized cake. DO NOT USE IF VACUUM IS NOT PRESENT. Safely discard the needle and syringe according to institutional procedures.
Step 4: Mix the solution with a gentle swirl. DO NOT SHAKE. Slight foaming of the solution is normal. Let the solution stand undisturbed for several minutes to allow any large bubbles to dissipate. Visually inspect the Activase solution for particulate matter and discoloration before administration.
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