Aminocaproic Acid

What is aminocaproic acid?

Aminocaproic acid (also called Amicar®) is used to treat minor bleeds of the mouth and nose or menstrual blood loss. This medicine is available as a white 500 mg tablet, a white 1000 mg tablet, and a clear liquid taken by mouth. It is also available as a clear liquid given by vein (IV).

Possible side effects of aminocaproic acid

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Belly pain or heartburn
• Nasal congestion
• Short-term discomfort (if receiving Aminocaproic acid by vein)

These are the most common side effects, but there may be others. Please report all side effects to your doctor or nurse.

In case of a severe side effect or reaction, call the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist at 595-3300. If you are outside the Memphis area, dial toll-free 1-866-2STJUDE (1-866-278-5833), and press 0 once the call is connected.

Special instructions for aminocaproic acid

• This medicine may be given with food or without food. If upset stomach occurs after giving medicine, give with food.
• If you have nausea or vomiting while taking this medicine these ideas might help: small meals more often, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum.
• If you cannot swallow the tablets, a liquid form of the medicine is available.
• The liquid can be used for patients who have feeding tubes. The feeding tube should be flushed before and after the medicine is given.
• The liquid dose must be measured very carefully. Use oral syringes provided by the pharmacy to measure the dose.
• Please give this medicine to your child for at least 24 hours even if the bleeding stops after your child receives only one (1) dose.
• Store both tablets and liquid forms at room temperature.