Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid
Description
Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid belongs to the class antifibrinolytics that helps in the clotting of blood and prevents bleeding. It is used to treat bleeding episodes during or after heart or liver surgery or in patients with medical conditions such as liver cirrhosis, certain types of cancers, bleeding disorders, and pregnant women experiencing placental abruption (early separation of the placenta).
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased heart rate
- Abdominal pain
- Dark colored urine
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Injection site pain
- Skin rash
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Headache
Uses of Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid
What is it prescribed for?
- Fibrinolytic bleeding
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 1 to 72 hours of administration.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 4 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after assessing the condition and evaluating the risks and benefits associated with the use of this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation (a serious condition in which blood clots forms throughout the bloodstream) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine or any other inactive ingredients present in the medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after assessing the condition and evaluating the risks and benefits associated with the use of this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Myopathy
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with or predisposed to myopathy due to the increased risk of muscle aches and pain. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of the muscle enzymes, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Other medicines
Epsilon Aminocaproic Acid may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Thromboembolism
Formation of dangerous clots and related complications may occur with this medicine. Close monitoring of symptoms for thrombotic events is necessary.
Heart diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of the heart function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of the liver function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in children since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness, tiredness, or visual disturbances in some patients. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Parenteral forms: Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Parenteral forms: Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Alteplase
Streptokinase
Tretinoin
Reteplase
Tenecteplase
Carfilzomib
Disease interactions
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Close monitoring of the kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take this medicine with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine before completion of the course/without consulting your doctor.
Parenteral forms: This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by preventing certain enzymes that break a blood clot formed in the body. Thus the breakdown of clot is either slowed down or completely stopped.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antifibrinolytic agents, Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Sep 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.