The Expense of Retavase as a Heart Attack Medication [posted 11/11/98]
Question: I am trying to find out about the drug retavase. My husband had a heart attack recently and we were urged to have the drug admininstered. Fortunately it worked! Unfortunately it cost $8,250.00. I would like to what the benefits of the drug are and why, for one shot, it is soooo expensive. Thanks.

Answer: Retavase is a drug that dissolves clots. Hence, it dissolves the clot that was causing the heart attack and keeping threatened cardiac muscle alive until the atherosclerosis at the site can be evaluated/fixed. As to the cost, drugs that work on patent are very expensive. Too high but, that is a marketing decision of the company.

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