Drotrecogin alfa (activated), drotrecoginalfa (activated; Xigris), is a recombinant form of humanactivated protein C. Activated protein C exerts an antithromboticeffect by inhibiting factors Va and VIIIa. In vitro dataindicate that activated protein C has indirect profibrinolyticactivity through its ability to inhibit plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and to limit generation of activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor. Additionally, in vitrodata indicate that activated protein C may exert an antiinflammatoryeffect by inhibiting TNF production by monocytes,by blocking leukocyte adhesion to selectins, and bylimiting the thrombin-induced inflammatory responses withinthe microvascular epithelium.Vials of drotrecogin alfa should be stored at 2°C to 8°Cwithout freezing. The reconstituted solution is stable for14 hours at 25°C.
