protein c at a glance
Medicine class
Plasma-derived antithrombotic replacement protein
Main licensed role
Prevention and treatment of specified thrombotic complications of severe congenital protein C deficiency
Administration
Intravenous injection after reconstitution with the supplied sterile water
Specialist supervision
Treatment requires specialist oversight and access to protein C activity monitoring
What is protein c used for?
Licensed uses in severe congenital protein C deficiency are:
Prevention and treatment of purpura fulminans
Prevention and treatment of skin necrosis caused by coumarin anticoagulants
Prevention and treatment of venous thrombotic events
How does protein c work?
Protein C is activated on blood-vessel surfaces and, with protein S, reduces clotting by inactivating activated factors V and VIII. Intravenous replacement temporarily raises protein C activity, helping control or prevent thrombosis caused by severe deficiency.
protein c preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 units, 1000 units
How to take protein c
It is given intravenously after the powder has been reconstituted with the supplied sterile water, usually under specialist supervision.
Gently rotate rather than shake the vial during reconstitution.
Use only a clear to slightly opalescent, colourless to slightly yellow solution without visible particles.
Use the reconstituted solution immediately.
Do not mix it with other medicinal products.
protein c side effects
Common or expected effects
- No adverse effects were classified as common; rash, itching and dizziness were reported rarely.
- Restlessness, increased sweating and injection-site reactions have also been reported, but their frequency is unknown.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis, including swelling, wheezing, low blood pressure or shock
- Possible heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which may present with falling platelets, new thrombosis, purpura, pinpoint bleeding or black stools
- Bleeding, particularly when another anticoagulant is being used
protein c in pregnancy
Controlled pregnancy studies are unavailable, although use in pregnant women with protein C deficiency has been reported. A specialist should weigh maternal and fetal benefits and risks; the product should be used only when clearly needed. Its plasma-derived origin also requires consideration of parvovirus B19 risk.
protein c while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether administered protein C passes into breast milk. Use during breastfeeding requires specialist assessment of the potential benefit and risk to the parent and baby.
protein c interactions
No general medicine interactions are known, but anticoagulant treatment requires particular care.
Vitamin K antagonists, including warfarin
Starting treatment can temporarily lower protein C faster than procoagulant factors, increasing the risk of thrombosis and coumarin-induced skin necrosis until anticoagulation is stable.
Other anticoagulants, including heparin
Concurrent treatment may increase bleeding risk and requires appropriate clinical and laboratory monitoring.
Common questions about protein c
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is protein C concentrate used for?
It is licensed to prevent or treat purpura fulminans, coumarin-induced skin necrosis and venous thrombosis in people with severe congenital protein C deficiency.
Is protein C concentrate an anticoagulant?
It replaces a natural anticoagulant protein that restricts thrombin formation by inactivating activated clotting factors V and VIII.
How is protein C concentrate given?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.