| Abstract | Drotrecogin alfa (activated) is recommended for use in adult patients who have severe sepsis that has resulted in multiple organ failure and who are being provided with optimum intensive care support. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) is a new treatment licensed for patients with severe sepsis with multiple organ failure. It is a genetically engineered form of human activated protein C, a protein molecule that is normally found in the body and has a role in helping to reduce blood clotting and inflammation, which can be caused by severe sepsis. Patients with sepsis have low levels of protein C and a reduced ability to produce activated protein C.
The use of drotrecogin (alfa) activated should only be intitiated and supervised by a specialist consultant with intensive care skills and experience in the care of patients with sepsis.
Patient information available at http://www.nice.org.uk/pdf/TA084publicinfoenglish.pdf |