aminocaproic acid
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) is a medication that's used to control serious bleeding in certain situations, such as after surgical or medical complications. It's available as a tablet and a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing. Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) can also be given as an infusion through the veins by a trained healthcare provider. Most people don't experience much side effects with this medication, but some possible ones include swelling, headache, nausea, and rash.
What is Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)?
What is Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) used for?
- Control bleeding in certain situations, such as in surgical or medical complications
How Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) works
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) is an antihemorrhagic medication. It prevents the breakdown of certain clotting proteins in your body. This helps you bleed less by allowing your blood to clot.
Drug facts
Side effects of Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Body holding on to fluid (swelling)
- Feeling very tired or uncomfortable
Less Common Side Effects
- Upset stomach (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Muscle weakness or pain
- Rash
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Blood clot: swelling, warmth, numbness, pain in leg or arm
- Blood clot in your lungs: sudden shortness of breath, chest pain
- Severe allergic reaction: rash, swelling in face or throat, trouble breathing
The following Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- Available as an oral solution, for those who don't like taking tablets
- Generally well-tolerated
Cons
- Taken every hour (up to 8 hours) until bleeding stops
- Can cause blood clots (rare)
- Not well-studied for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
- Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) tablets come in two different strengths. Make sure you know which one you have and how many tablets to take to get the right dose.
- You can take aminocaproic acid (Amicar) with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with some food to help.
- Let your provider know if you experience muscle weakness or tiredness while taking aminocaproic acid (Amicar). Though rare, this medication can muscle breakdown, which can be dangerous.
- If you're taking aminocaproic acid (Amicar) oral solution, use the measuring device provided to you to get the exact dose. If you don't have one at home, ask your pharmacy or provider's office for one. Don't use kitchen or measuring spoons to measure your dose, since they might not be accurate.
- Store aminocaproic acid (Amicar) tablets and oral solution at room temperature.
Common questions about Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
Yes, there have been reports of people developing blood clots from taking aminocaproic acid (Amicar) to treat bleeding in the upper urinary tract, such as the kidneys. There have also been other cases of people experiencing blood clots while taking aminocaproic acid (Amicar) after surgical procedures. Before you start treatment with aminocaproic acid (Amicar), your provider will evaluate your risk for blood clots and make sure this medication is safest possible for you. You won't be able to take aminocaproic acid (Amicar) if you've bleeding in the upper urinary tract or other factors that raise your risk of blood clots.
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) isn't FDA-approved to stop heavy menstrual bleeding. But according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, aminocaproic acid (Amicar) is a possible option for controlling heavy period bleeding. But once the bleeding is stable, it's best to start a more long-term treatment, like hormone therapy, to ease bleeding. This is considered an "off-label" use of the medication.
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) gets absorbed into your body within about 1 hour after you take it. The time it'll take for your bleeding to stop depends on multiple factors, such as the size of your bleed. Your provider will give you a dose of aminocaproic acid (Amicar) every hour for up to 8 hours total until the bleeding is under control.
There hasn't been enough research to know if aminocaproic acid (Amicar) is safe in pregnancy. If you're experiencing heavy bleeding during pregnancy, your provider will only give you aminocaproic acid (Amicar) if they think the benefits of this medication is greater than the risk of harm.
No, aminocaproic acid (Amicar) isn't the same as tranexamic acid (Lysteda). Both medications belong to a drug class called antihemorrhagics since they work to stop bleeding. But they're used to treat different bleeding conditions. Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) is FDA-approved to treat heavy menstrual bleeding only. But aminocaproic acid (Amicar) can be used to control bleeding in various situations, including surgery complications and bleeding disorders. Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) is available as a tablet and injection, and aminocaproic acid (Amicar) is available as a tablet, injection, and oral solution.
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Risks and warnings for Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Muscle weakness
Risk Factors: Long-term use of aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
In rare cases, muscle wasting and weakness has been reported with aminocaproic acid (Amicar), especially with long-term use. Usually, this will go away once you stop taking the medication. Report any unexplained muscle pain or weakness to your provider. Muscle damage can have serious effects on your heart and kidneys. Your provider can order lab tests to see if this is happening in your body.
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) dosage
Typical dosage for Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
- Tablets: The typical starting dose is 5 grams by mouth during the first hour of the bleeding event, followed by 1 gram every hour for 8 hours or until bleeding is controlled.
- Oral solution (0.25 grams/mL): The typical starting dose is 5 grams by mouth during the first hour of the bleeding event, followed by 1.25 grams every hour for 8 hours or until bleeding is controlled.
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Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) will not be safe for you to take.
- Active blood clotting in the bloodstream
- Cause of bleeding is unknown
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