Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar)

These instructions are for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients who are prescribed aminocaproic acid.

Important information about aminocaproic acid:

Aminocaproic acid, also known by the brand name Amicar®, helps prevent the breakdown of blood clots. Blood clotting is an important part of the normal healing process for injured blood vessels. The medicine helps to maintain clots at the site of bleeding to allow healing.

Aminocaproic acid is most helpful in preventing the breakdown of clots in the nose, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract in children with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.

Aminocaproic acid is available as a pill or liquid to be taken by mouth. It can also be given into a vein (IV) in the hospital or clinic. The dose of medicine needed will change as your child grows and gains weight.

Common side effects include:

  • Mild stomach upset

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Headache

Some patients experience:

  • Dizziness

  • Muscle aches or weakness

  • Skin rash

  • Ringing or buzzing in ears

  • Stuffy nose

Rare side effects include:

  • Chest pain

  • Slurred speech

  • Blurred vision

  • Decreased amount of urine

  • Swelling or pain in face, arms, feet, or lower legs

  • Blood clots in unintended areas

  • Heart attack

  • Stroke

  • Deep vein thrombosis

Instructions for taking aminocaproic acid:

  • It is important to give this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare team. Give it at the scheduled times to keep a steady level in the body.

  • This medicine may be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may prevent an upset stomach.

  • If using the liquid form, draw up the correct amount in the oral syringe. Give a small amount of medicine inside the cheek. To avoid choking, let your child swallow before giving more.

  • For babies, you can mix the medicine with a small amount of formula, milk, or juice and give it with a bottle nipple before a feeding. Do not add medicine to a whole bottle because if your baby does not finish it, you will not know how much of the medicine was taken.

  • If one dose is missed, give it as soon as you remember. Give the rest of that day's doses at regularly spaced times. Call your hematology team with questions about how to make up a missed dose. Never give a double dose.

  • If your child vomits within 30 minutes after receiving a dose, give it again. If your child vomits after 30 minutes, do not repeat the dose. Call your hematology team if more than one dose is missed or vomited.

  • Talk to your healthcare provider before using any other medicines. Your child should not take any aspirin-containing products.

  • Do not take this medicine during pregnancy.

  • Do not use this medicine for kidney or bladder bleeding unless directed by your healthcare provider. Aminocaproic acid should be used with caution in patients with heart, kidney, or liver disease.

General safety tips:

  • You and your child should know the names of all the medicines they are taking. Share this information with anyone involved in your child's care.

  • Always make sure you have enough medicine on hand. Each time you refill your prescription, check to see how many refills are left.

  • Always check the label and expiration date before giving any medicine. Do not give expired medicines. Ask your pharmacy what to do with expired or unused medicines. If there is no take-back program, empty them into the trash.

  • Store all medicines in their original container away from direct sunlight or heat. Do not store in humid places such as the bathroom. Keep them out of children's reach, locked up if possible.

Contact your CHOP hematology team with questions, concerns or if your child has:

  • Continued vomiting

  • Slurred speech

  • Blurred vision

  • Decrease in urine

  • Swelling of face, feet, or lower legs

  • Slow or irregular heartbeat

  • Chest pain

Call 911 if your child has signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; trouble breathing, wheezing or chest tightness. If you are concerned the reaction is related to aminocaproic acid, call your healthcare team after symptoms resolve to discuss a plan moving forward.

Division of Hematology

215-590-3535

Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center

CHOP Main patients:
8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday
215-590-3437

Voorhees patients
8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
856-435-7502

King of Prussia patients:
8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
267-425-3320

Weekends, holidays and every day after 5:00pm

all patients: 215-590-1000

ask the hospital operator for the hematologist on call.

For non-urgent issues, send your team a message in the MyCHOP portal.

 

Reviewed on July 1, 2023, by Marylou Macdermott, MSN, CRNP; Rebecca Kendsersky, PharmD, BCPPS