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Prescribing Information

Returning Expired Activase® requires authorization and is dependent on the condition of the product

Returnable products

Product returns will be accepted from direct (wholesaler) and non-direct (wholesaler's customers, i.e., pharmacies) accounts under the following conditions:

  • Product returned within 2 months prior to and 6 months past expiration date
  • Product in its original container and bearing its original label

Non-returnable products

The following products are non-returnable, regardless of expiration date:

  • Products damaged by improper storage or handling, fire, flood, or catastrophe
  • Repackaged products
  • Products that had been sold expressly on a non-returnable basis
  • Products obtained illegally or from an unauthorized source
  • Products purchased on the "secondary source" market or from a distributor who does not have a direct purchasing account with Genentech
  • Partially filled vials
  • Products with no lot numbers, expiration dates, or with unreadable labels
  • Products in their original containers but with prescription labels attached
  • Products that Genentech determines, in its sole discretion, are otherwise adulterated, misbranded, or counterfeit
  • Unless requested, all Activase expired returns will be replaced. If you would like a credit for your return, please contact Genentech Customer Service at (800) 551-2231 to obtain authorization and return box label. Shipping and transportation charges are prepaid by the Customer. 
  • The Genentech USA Return Good Policy and instructions on how to return expired Genentech products can be found online at https://www.gene.com/contact-us/customer-service/product-issues/return-goods-policy
  • To return damaged product, please contact Genentech Customer Service at (800) 551-2231

The Genentech Spoilage Replacement Program provides for the replacement of infused, injected, and self-administered products, which are prescribed and prepared for a labeled indication, yet not administered due to unforeseen patient clinical circumstances, subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth by Genentech.

You can obtain additional information about the program and request replacement of spoilage product by visiting www.spoilage.gene.com or by calling Genentech Customer Service at (800) 551-2231.

To request replacement product:

  • When Genentech product is prescribed for a labeled indication is spoiled and unable to be administered, the product might be eligible for replacement through the Genentech Spoilage Replacement Program.
  • You may complete your request for spoilage replacement online at www.spoilage.gene.com or by calling Genentech Customer Service at (800) 551-2231.
  • Up to date information on product returns is available on the Genentech Customer Service website

Important Guidelines:

  • Each instance of spoilage replacement requires completion of the Spoilage Replacement Program Form. Replacement is on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of Genentech; please retain all original product packaging for returns processing 
  • Genentech does not ship replacement product if the spoiled product has been used for an off-label indication
  • Genentech does not ship replacement product if ANY portion of the product has been administered
  • Genentech will only ship replacement product to licensed facilities
  • All spoilage replacement requests are subject to review by Genentech; returned product is subject to analysis
  • Replacement is not available if any amount has been billed to a patient or an insurance claim has been remitted to a payer
  • Requests are subject to certain limitations and conditions. Genentech has the right to modify or discontinue the Spoilage Replacement Program at any time without notice

Please be sure to retain intact vials and all product as they need to be returned to Genentech. Unless the vial is broken, all product must be returned. If the vial is broken, a completed Certification of Destruction form is required.

aSubject to certain limitations and conditions.

  • Genentech will continue to process credits
  • All products returned, including unauthorized returns, will be destroyed
  • Returns for reasons related to product quality (for example, solution is cloudy, etc.) will continue to be processed by Genentech. Please contact Genentech's Quality Department at (800) 334-0290
  • Customers are liable for the product until Inmar RX Solutions or Genentech identifies it as an appropriate product return, which may be up to ten (10) business days after receiving the product

NEXT: Learn about the role of the stroke coordinator in stroke reporting >

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  • Genentech will provide credit or replacement for a product return only if it is authorized and after the actual product has been received and identified by Inmar RX Solutions. The procedure for returning product depends on the return type and condition of the product. More information on specific returns programs can be found on the Genentech Customer Service Website.
Billing

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Indications

Activase® (alteplase) is indicated for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Exclude intracranial hemorrhage as the primary cause of stroke signs and symptoms prior to initiation of treatment. Initiate treatment as soon as possible but within 3 hours after symptom onset.

Activase is indicated for use in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for the reduction of mortality and reduction of the incidence of heart failure.

Limitation of Use: The risk of stroke may outweigh the benefit produced by thrombolytic therapy in patients whose AMI puts them at low risk for death or heart failure.

Activase is indicated for the lysis of acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE), defined as:

  • Acute pulmonary emboli obstructing blood flow to a lobe or multiple lung segments.
  • Acute pulmonary emboli accompanied by unstable hemodynamics, e.g., failure to maintain blood pressure without supportive measures.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Do not administer Activase to treat acute ischemic stroke in the following situations in which the risk of bleeding is greater than the potential benefit: current intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); subarachnoid hemorrhage; active internal bleeding; recent (within 3 months) intracranial or intraspinal surgery or serious head trauma; presence of intracranial conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding (e.g., some neoplasms, arteriovenous malformations, or aneurysms); bleeding diathesis; and current severe uncontrolled hypertension.

Do not administer Activase to treat acute myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism in the following situations in which the risk of bleeding is greater than the potential benefit: active internal bleeding; history of recent stroke; recent (within 3 months) intracranial or intraspinal surgery or serious head trauma; presence of intracranial conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding; bleeding diathesis; and current severe uncontrolled hypertension.

Warnings and Precautions

Bleeding

Activase can cause significant, sometimes fatal internal or external bleeding, especially at arterial and venous puncture sites. Avoid intramuscular injections and trauma to the patient. Perform venipunctures carefully and only as required. Fatal cases of hemorrhage associated with traumatic intubation in patients administered Activase have been reported. Aspirin and heparin have been administered concomitantly with and following infusion with Activase in the management of acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. The concomitant administration of heparin and aspirin with and following infusions of Activase for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke during the first 24 hours after symptom onset has not been investigated. Because heparin, aspirin, or Activase may cause bleeding complications, carefully monitor for bleeding, especially at arterial puncture sites. Hemorrhage can occur 1 or more days after administration of Activase, while patients are still receiving anticoagulant therapy. If serious bleeding occurs, terminate the Activase infusion, and treat appropriately.

In the following conditions, the risks of bleeding with Activase are increased and should be weighed against the anticipated benefits: recent major surgery or procedure; cerebrovascular disease; recent intracranial hemorrhage; recent gastrointestinal or genitourinary bleeding; recent trauma; hypertension; acute pericarditis; subacute bacterial endocarditis; hemostatic defects including those secondary to severe hepatic or renal disease; significant hepatic dysfunction; pregnancy; diabetic hemorrhagic retinopathy or other hemorrhagic ophthalmic conditions; septic thrombophlebitis or occluded AV cannula at seriously infected site; advanced age; and patients currently receiving oral anticoagulants, or any other condition in which bleeding constitutes a significant hazard or would be particularly difficult to manage because of its location.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity, including urticarial / anaphylactic reactions, have been reported after administration of Activase. Rare fatal outcome for hypersensitivity was reported. Angioedema has been observed during and up to 2 hours after Activase infusion in patients treated for acute ischemic stroke and acute myocardial infarction. In many cases, patients received concomitant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Monitor patients treated with Activase during and for several hours after infusion for hypersensitivity. If signs of hypersensitivity occur, e.g. anaphylactoid reaction or angioedema develops, discontinue the Activase infusion and promptly institute appropriate therapy (e.g., antihistamines, intravenous corticosteroids, epinephrine).

Thromboembolism

The use of thrombolytics can increase the risk of thrombo-embolic events in patients with high likelihood of left heart thrombus, such as patients with mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation. Activase has not been shown to treat adequately underlying deep vein thrombosis in patients with PE. Consider the possible risk of re-embolization due to the lysis of underlying deep venous thrombi in this setting.

Cholesterol Embolization

Cholesterol embolism, sometimes fatal, has been reported rarely in patients treated with thrombolytic agents; the true incidence is unknown. It is associated with invasive vascular procedures (e.g., cardiac catheterization, angiography, vascular surgery) and/or anticoagulant therapy.

Coagulation Tests May be Unreliable during Activase Therapy

Coagulation tests and/or measures of fibrinolytic activity may be unreliable during Activase therapy unless specific precautions are taken to prevent in vitro artifacts. When present in blood at pharmacologic concentrations, Activase remains active under in vitro conditions, which can result in degradation of fibrinogen in blood samples removed for analysis.

Adverse Reactions

The most frequent adverse reaction associated with Activase therapy is bleeding.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

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