The most serious potential side effect associated with clot-busting medications is bleeding inside the body, which may increase the risk for hemorrhagic stroke. While medical staff will monitor the patient for this problem, patients should also be aware of associated signs and symptoms, which may occur 24 hours after administering the clot-buster. They include:

Common side effects of clot busters include:

• Bleeding or oozing from cuts, gums or wounds, or around the area of injection
• Allergic reaction
• Fever
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Less common side effects include:

• Unusual bruising
• Headache
• Chest pain or tightness (with or without or wheezing)
• Shortness of breath, troubled breathing or fast/irregular breathing
• Muscle pain or weakness, weakness in arms or legs
• Swelling of eyes, face, lips or tongue
• Flushing, redness of skin or changes in skin color, especially on the face
• Confusion
• Blurred or double vision
• Difficulty speaking
• Nausea