Aminocaproic Acid
Risk Factor: CM
Class: Hematological agents
/ Hemostatics
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Aminocaproic acid is used to enhance hemostasis when fibrinolysis contributes to bleeding. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with the drug (1).
No reports describing the placental passage of aminocaproic acid have been located. The molecular weight (approximately 131) is low enough, however, that passage to the fetus should be expected.
Aminocaproic acid was used during the 2nd trimester in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage as a result of multiple intracranial aneurysms (2). The drug was given for 3 days preceding surgery (dosage not given). No fetal toxicity was observed.
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of aminocaproic acid during lactation have been located. Although the molecular weight (approximately 131) is low enough that excretion into breast milk should be expected, the indication for the drug probably implies that the chance of its use during nursing is very small.
References
- Product information. Amicar. Immunex, 2000.
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Willoughby JS. Sodium nitroprusside, pregnancy and multiple intracranial aneurysms. Anaesth Intensive Care 1984;12:35860.
Questions and Answers
what is aminocaproic acid?,
Aminocaproic acid (marketed as Amicar) is a drug used to treat bleeding disorders.
Mechanism of action
Aminocaproic acid works as an antifibrinolytic. It is a derivative of the amino acid lysine. It binds reversibly to the kringle domain of plasminogen and blocks the binding of plasminogen to fibrin and its activation to plasmin.
Clinical use
Aminocaproic acid is used to treat excessive postoperative bleeding. It can be given orally or intravenously. One scenario where it may be useful is to treat bleeding after dental extractions in patients with hemophilia, because the oral mucosa is rich in plasminogen activators. A meta-analysis found that lysine analogs like aminocaproic acid significantly reduced blood loss in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
Side effects
Its side effects are mainly related to the gastrointestinal tract and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The main risk associated with aminocaproic acid is the increased risk for thrombosis because of the inhibition of fibrinolysis.
