Tenecteplase no longer 'off label' for acute ischemic stroke
UC expert featured in MedCentral article
The University of Cincinnati's Yasmin Aziz was featured in a MedCentral article discussing the recent FDA approval of the drug tenecteplase (TNK) for treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Trials of alteplase, also called tPA, were pioneered at the University of Cincinnati in the late 1980s, representing the first proven treatment for ischemic stroke. TNK is a more recently developed clot-busting drug that can be administered in a single IV injection within seconds.
Aziz said many academic health centers and private institutions have been using TNK off label since data from the 2022 ACT trial was published.
While there are new dosing instructions associated with the FDA approval, Aziz said the speed of delivering TNK makes it appealing. Administering tPA requires a 1-minute infusion followed by a 60-minute infusion of the rest of the dosage, while TNK requires a 5-second infusion.
“I will tell you, the ease of use is really what’s going to get people to change," said Aziz, MD, director, Acute Stroke Trials; associate director, Vascular Neurology Fellowship; and assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine in UC's College of Medicine; UC Health neurologist; director, NIH StrokeNet Digital Media; and co-investigator, NIH StrokeNet Ohio Valley Regional Coordinating Center.
“I think this will hopefully allow us to treat more patients faster with less chance of error,” she continued. “It’s much easier to give a drug like tenecteplase in a moving ambulance."
Featured photo at top of illustration of brain with stroke symptoms. Photo/PeterSchreiber.media/iStock.
Related Stories
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.
What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?
January 5, 2026
Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.