Amicar is widely used as an anti-fibrinolytic agent. It inhibits the action of plasminogen activators and, to a lesser extent, it also has some antiplasmin activity.
Anti-fibrinolytic drug and/or hemostatic drug like aminocaproic acid is indicated in certain serious bleeding conditions such as hemorrhage, missed abortion, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, traumatic hyphema, dental bleeding, hemophilia A, postoperative bleeding, systemic hyperfibrinolysis and so on.
This medication is also prescribed to the patients before an operation to prevent unwanted serious bleeding and to minimize the chance of bleeding.
This drug is available in forms of oral as well as intravenous preparations only with a doctor's prescription.
If you are about to start Amicar, the risks and benefits ratio of taking this medicine should be considered. This is a decision that your doctor will make with your active participation.
For this medicine, certain factors such as present and past illness, drug interactions, metabolic impairments, hypersensitivity reactions, pregnancy, lactation etc. may alter the drug effect. Thus, the use of aminocaproic acid should be considered cautiously.
Always try to answer each question appropriately asked by your physician.
If you have had any allergic reaction to such medications or any other medicines, tell your doctor about that. This is the medicine which is used irrespective of age and sex.
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect but there are no adequate studies in pregnancy and lactation. Hence, potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
On the contrary, presence of some medical problems may affect the desired plasma concentration as well as the duration of action of the drug.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Medicines should be used following the directions given by a doctor. The dose of Amicar will vary according to patient’s condition or requirements. You should follow the doctor's directions and advice. The amount of medicine that you take should not exceed the maximum therapeutic dose.
Also, the frequency of your daily drug administration and the duration of drug therapy depend on the particular medical problem for which you are taking the medicine.
In order to treat hemorrhage, 2% solution of aminocaproic acid is prescribed. At initial stage, 4-5 g is given over an hour. Then, continuous infusion of 1 g/hour is recommended for up to 8 hours or until bleeding is controlled. The maximum therapeutic dose of aminocaproic acid is considered as 24 g/24 hr.
Always try to take your medicine in time. If you miss any dose of this medicine, you should take it as soon as possible. But when it is time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
You should store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light. All kinds of medicines should be kept out of the reach of children.
Outdated medicine must be disposed appropriately.
4 Precautions To Take
Some important measures should be taken if you feel any discomfort following any drug therapy. Firstly, you should stop using the drug and then consult with your physician immediately.
Regular visits are recommended to make sure Amicar is working properly. Although aminocaproic acid is well tolerated, its use is contraindicated in patients with bleeding due to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Rapid intravenous administration of aminocaproic acid should not be allowed for the betterment of the patients.
Certain drugs should not be used concurrently with such medications. It is always recommended to consult your doctor if you are in need of some drugs for another health problem.
Sometimes, it is must to avoid some particular medicines during this drug therapy in order to avoid serious drug reactions like increased risk of hypercoagulability with oral contraceptives and estrogens.
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Patients with urinary tract bleeding, hematuria of upper urinary tract origin, skeletal myopathy, renal or cardiac disorders, neonates should be given such medication with great care. Monitoring of creatinine phosphokinase is always recommended before starting and during the drug therapy.
You are advised to avoid administration of aminocaproic acid with Factor –IX complex concentrates.
There are some unwanted side-effects associated with Amicar that usually do not need medical attention. These side-effects usually go away during the treatment episode as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Additionally, your health care professional may advise you about the ways to prevent or reduce those unwanted side-effects. Sometimes, you may need to consult with the doctor if you feel any serious discomfort.
The following side effects may warrant medical care immediately:
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