Category: Stroke treatment

About 87% of all strokes are ischemic, meaning they are caused by a blood clot blocking a vessel in the brain [1.2.3]. The answer to 'What medication is given within 3 hours of a stroke?' is primarily a clot-busting drug called a thrombolytic [1.2.4].

According to the American Heart Association, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurs in a small but significant percentage of patients treated with intravenous tPA for acute ischemic stroke. This serious risk, along with other critical complications and contraindications, is precisely **why you would stop tPA** or not start it in the first place, with clinical decisions based on a careful weighing of the potential benefits and harms.

Despite being a primary treatment for acute ischemic stroke, over 80% of patients do not receive tPA. This often depends on a complex evaluation of the patient's condition, with many factors dictating why someone would not get tPA. The decision process involves weighing the potential benefits of dissolving a blood clot against the significant risk of inducing a life-threatening hemorrhage.

In the United States, about 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, where blood flow to the brain is blocked [1.7.2]. For many of these patients, the answer to 'What is TPA for stroke?' is a critical, time-sensitive treatment that can dissolve the clot and improve chances of recovery [1.2.1, 1.2.3].

In March 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tenecteplase (TNKase) for acute ischemic stroke, marking the first new thrombolytic drug approval for this condition in nearly 30 years. This significant development directly addresses the key question: **What is the new drug for stroke patients?** It offers a faster, more streamlined approach to dissolving blood clots and is already changing clinical practice.