Aminocaproic Acid
Pronouncation: (uh-mee-no-kuh-PRO-ik acid)Class: Hemostatic
Trade Names:
Amicar
- Tablets 500 mg
- Syrup 250 mg/mL
Trade Names:
Aminocaproic Acid
- Injection 250 mg/mL
Pharmacology
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Inhibits fibrinolysis to stop bleeding.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
OralZero order process; absorption rate of 5.2 g/h. C max is about 164 mcg/mL; T max is about 1.2 h.
Distribution
OralVd is about 23.1 L.
IVVd is about 30 L.
Metabolism
Metabolite is adipic acid.
Elimination
Renally eliminated. 65% is recovered in the urine as unchanged drug and 11% as the metabolite adipic acid. Renal clearance is 116 mL/min and total body clearance is 169 mL/min. T 1/2 is about 2 h.
Duration
3 h for single IV dose.
Indications and Usage
Treatment of excessive bleeding from systemic hyperfibrinolysis and urinary fibrinolysis.
Unlabeled Uses
Prevention of recurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage; management of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia; abortion; or prevention of attacks of hereditary angioneurotic edema.
Contraindications
Active intravascular clotting; DIC; administration to newborns.
Dosage and Administration
AdultsIV/PO 4 to 5 g in first hour; then 1 to 1.25 g/h for 8 h or until bleeding is controlled. Dosage over 30ߙg/24 h is not recommended.
General Advice
IV infusion- Dilute as 1 g/50 mL diluent. Compatible diluents include Sterile Water for Injection, normal saline, D5W, and Ringer's solution.
- Infuse dose over 30 min to 1 h.
Storage/Stability
Store in tightly closed container at room temperature.
Drug Interactions
Oral contraceptives or estrogensMay lead to increase in clotting factors, producing state of hypercoagulation.
Laboratory Test Interactions
Serum potassium levelsSerum potassium level may be elevated, especially in impaired renal function.
Adverse Reactions
Cardiovascular
Bradycardia; hypotension; peripheral ischemia; thrombosis.
CNS
Dizziness; headache; delirium; hallucinations; confusion; intracranial hypertension; stroke; syncope.
Dermatologic
Rash; pruritus.
EENT
Tinnitus; decreased vision; watery eyes.
GI
Nausea; diarrhea; abdominal pain; vomiting.
Genitourinary
Increased BUN; renal failure.
Hematologic
Agranulocytosis; coagulation disorder; leukopenia; thrombocytopenia.
Respiratory
Dyspnea; nasal congestion; pulmonary embolism.
Miscellaneous
Injection site reaction; pain and necrosis; myalgia; myositis; myopathy (characterized by muscle weakness, fatigue, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, rhabdomyolysis associated with myoglobinuria and renal failure); edema; allergic and anaphylactic reactions; anaphylaxis; malaise.
Precautions
Pregnancy
Category C .
Lactation
Undetermined.
Children
Safety and efficacy not established.
Upper urinary tract bleeding
Not used in treatment of hematuria of upper UT origin unless possible benefits outweigh risks.
Overdosage
Symptoms
Hypotension, severe acute renal failure.
Patient Information
- Caution patient to avoid sudden position changes to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
- Advise patient to use soft toothbrush or sponge for dental care.
- Instruct patient to report the following symptoms to health care provider: gingival bleeding, epistaxis, hematuria, skin changes (eg, ecchymosis, petechiae), difficulty in urination, reddish-brown urine, chest or leg pain, or difficulty breathing.
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