Aminocaproic acid
Generic name: aminocaproic acid [ a-MEE-noe-ka-PROE-ik-AS-id ]
Brand name: Amicar
Dosage forms: intravenous solution (250 mg/mL); oral syrup (1.25 g/5 mL); oral tablet (1000 mg; 500 mg)
Drug class:Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers
What is aminocaproic acid?
Aminocaproic acid is a man-made form of a protein that occurs naturally in the body and helps the blood to clot.
Aminocaproic acid is used to treat bleeding episodes in people with certain medical conditions such as aplastic anemia (lack of blood cells and platelets), cirrhosis of the liver, placenta abruptio (early separation of the placenta in pregnancy), urinary bleeding, and certain types of cancer.
Aminocaproic acid is also used to prevent bleeding after heart surgery or placement of a shunt near the liver to control high blood pressure.
Aminocaproic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Stop using aminocaproic acid and call your doctor at once if you have: unexplained muscle pain, sudden numbness or weakness, tingling or cold feeling in an arm or leg, trouble breathing, a sudden cough or sudden chest pain.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use aminocaproic acid if you are allergic to it.
To make sure aminocaproic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease; or
a history of stroke or blood clots.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Unless you are being treated for placenta abruptio, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether aminocaproic acid passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Aminocaproic acid is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use aminocaproic acid?
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using aminocaproic acid.
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use aminocaproic acid in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Aminocaproic acid is either taken by mouth or injected into a vein through an IV.
You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.
You should start using this medicine at the first sign of a bleeding episode. You may need to first use the injection form and th...
