Streptokinase is classified as what type of medication?

Streptokinase is classified as a fibrinolytic medication. Fibrinolytics are agents that promote the breakdown of fibrin in blood clots, effectively dissolving them. Streptokinase works by activating plasminogen, which converts to plasmin, the enzyme responsible for the lysis of fibrin. This action helps restore blood flow in occluded blood vessels, typically in the context of acute myocardial infarction or other thromboembolic events.

While it is also true that fibrinolytics can be categorized more specifically as thrombolytic agents, not every fibrinolytic is a thrombolytic. Thrombolytics specifically refer to medications that dissolve blood clots, making the distinction somewhat nuanced. However, the terminology often overlaps in clinical contexts. Understanding streptokinase’s primary mechanism, which is to break down clots, solidifies its classification as a fibrinolytic agent.