Aminocaproic acid

Aminocaproic acid is useful in enhancing hemostasis when fibrinolysis contributes to bleeding. In life-threatening situations, transfusion of appropriate blood products and other emergency measures may be required. Fibrinolytic bleeding may frequently be associated with surgical complications following heart surgery (with or without cardiac bypass procedures) and portacaval shunt, hematological disorders such as amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (accompanying aplastic anemia), acute and life-threatening abruptio placentae, hepatic cirrhosis, and neoplastic disease such as carcinoma of the prostate, lung, stomach, and cervix.

An identical dosage regimen may be followed by administering aminocaproic acid tablets or aminocaproic acid oral solution as follows: For the treatment of acute bleeding syndromes due to elevated fibrinolytic activity, it is suggested that 5 aminocaproic acid 1,000 mg tablets or 10 aminocaproic acid 500 mg tablets (5 g) or 20 milliliter of aminocaproic acid oral solution (5 g) be administered during the first hour of treatment, followed by a continuing rate of 1 aminocaproic acid 1,000 mg tablet or 2 aminocaproic acid 500 mg tablets (1 g) or 5 milliliter of aminocaproic acid oral solution (1.25 g) per hour. This method of treatment would ordinarily be continued for about 8 hours or until the bleeding situation has been controlled.

Aminocaproic acid should not be used when there is evidence of an active intravascular clotting process. When there is uncertainty as to whether the cause of bleeding is primary fibrinolysis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), this distinction must be made before administering aminocaproic acid. The following tests can be applied to differentiate the two conditions: • Platelet count is usually decreased in DIC but normal in primary fibrinolysis. • Protamine paracoagulation test is positive in DIC, a precipitate forms when protamine sulfate is dropped into citrated plasma. The test is negative in the presence of primary fibrinolysis.

In patients with upper urinary tract bleeding, aminocaproic acid administration has been known to cause intrarenal obstruction in the form of glomerular capillary thrombosis or clots in the renal pelvis and ureters. For this reason, aminocaproic acid should not be used in hematuria of upper urinary tract origin, unless the possible benefits outweigh the risk. Subendocardial hemorrhages have been observed in dogs given intravenous infusions of 0.2 times the maximum human therapeutic dose of aminocaproic acid and in monkeys given 8 times the maximum human therapeutic dose of aminocaproic acid. Fatty degeneration of the myocardium has been reported in dogs given intravenous doses of aminocaproic acid at 0.8 to 3.3 times the maximum human therapeutic dose and in monkeys given intravenous doses of aminocaproic acid at 6 times the maximum human therapeutic dose.

Aminocaproic acid is generally well tolerated. The following adverse experiences have been reported: General: Edema, headache, malaise. Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic and anaphylactoid reactions, anaphylaxis. Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, hypotension, peripheral ischemia, thrombosis. Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Hematologic: Agranulocytosis, coagulation disorder, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia. Musculoskeletal: CPK increased, muscle weakness, myalgia, myopathy, myositis, rhabdomyolysis. Neurologic: Confusion, convulsions, delirium, dizziness, hallucinations, intracranial hypertension, stroke, syncope. Respiratory: Dyspnea, nasal congestion, pulmonary embolism. Skin: Pruritis, rash. Special Senses: Tinnitus, vision decreased, watery eyes. Urogenital: BUN increased, renal failure.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Do Not Freeze. Bottle of 30 – NDC 0054-1150-13 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Do Not Freeze. Bottle of 30 – NDC 0054-1110-13 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). Do Not Freeze.