aminocaproic acid (Oral route)
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Hemostatic
Uses For aminocaproic acid
Aminocaproic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent. It is used to treat serious bleeding conditions, especially when the bleeding occurs after dental surgery or other kinds of surgery. aminocaproic acid is also sometimes given before an operation to prevent serious bleeding for patients with medical problems that increase the chance of bleeding.
aminocaproic acid is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using aminocaproic acid
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For aminocaproic acid, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to aminocaproic acid or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of aminocaproic acid in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of aminocaproic acid in geriatric patients.
|All Trimesters||C||Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.|
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking aminocaproic acid, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using aminocaproic acid with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Anti-Inhibitor Coagulant Complex
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of aminocaproic acid. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blood clots, active or
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC (blood clotting problem)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Blood clots, history of or
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Kidney disease—The effects of aminocaproic acid may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
Proper Use of aminocaproic acid
Take aminocaproic acid only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Measure the oral solution with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
The dose of aminocaproic acid will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of aminocaproic acid. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- To treat bleeding problems:
- For oral dosage form (solution or tablets):
- Adults—5 grams (g) or 4 teaspoonfuls as a single dose for the first hour, followed by 1 g or 1 teaspoonful every hour for 8 hours or until bleeding has been controlled.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For oral dosage form (solution or tablets):
aminocaproic acid needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using aminocaproic acid
It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using aminocaproic acid. Blood tests may be needed to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Using aminocaproic acid for a long time may cause muscle problems and serious kidney disease. Check with your doctor right away if you have a dark-colored urine; fever; joint pain; muscle cramps or spasms; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using aminocaproic acid. aminocaproic acid may affect the results of certain medical tests.
aminocaproic acid Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:Incidence not known
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
- chest pain or discomfort
- cough or hoarseness
- dark-colored urine
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- difficult or labored breathing
- difficulty with moving
- difficulty with speaking
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
- double vision
- fast heartbeat
- fever with or without chills
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- increased thirst
- itching of the skin
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle cramps or spasms
- muscle pain or stiffness
- muscular pain, tenderness, wasting, or weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
- pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
- painful or difficult urination
- pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- problems with bleeding or clotting
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- shortness of breath
- skin rash
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- slow speech
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing sweating
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- swollen joints
- tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weak or absent pulses in the legs
- weight gain
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- confusion as to time, place, or person
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- decreased vision
- ejaculation without semen
- hearing loss
- holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
- mood or mental changes
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- stuffy nose
- unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
- watery eyes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
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