Aminocaproic Acid Injection

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Aminocaproic acid injection is used to control bleeding that occurs when blood clots are broken down too quickly. This type of bleeding may occur during or after heart or liver surgery; in people who have certain bleeding disorders; in people who have cancer of the prostate (a male reproductive gland), lung, stomach, or cervix (opening of the uterus); and in pregnant women experiencing placental abruption (placenta separates from the uterus before the baby is ready to be born). Aminocaproic acid injection is also used to control bleeding in the urinary tract (the organs in the body that produce and excrete urine) that may occur after prostate or kidney surgery or in people who have certain types of cancer. Aminocaproic acid injection should not be used to treat bleeding that is not caused by faster than normal clot breakdown, so your doctor may order tests to find the cause of your bleeding before you begin your treatment. Aminocaproic acid injection is in a class of medications called hemostatics.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Aminocaproic acid injection is also sometimes used to treat bleeding in the eye that was caused by an injury. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Aminocaproic acid injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected into a vein by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic or by the patient at home. It is usually injected over about 8 hours as needed to control bleeding. If you are injecting aminocaproic acid at home, use it exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before using aminocaproic acid injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to aminocaproic acid or any other medications.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving aminocaproic acid injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had blood clots or heart, liver or kidney disease.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using aminocaproic acid injection, call your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

If you are using aminocaproic acid at home and you miss a dose, inject the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not inject a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Aminocaproic acid injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• pain or redness in the place where the medication was injected
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain or cramping
• diarrhea
• headache
• dizziness
• confusion
• hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• decreased or blurred vision
• ringing in the ears

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• muscle weakness
• fatigue
• shortness of breath
• chest pressure or squeezing pain in chest
• discomfort in arms, shoulders, neck or upper back
• excessive sweating
• feeling of heaviness, pain, warmth and/or swelling in a leg or in the pelvis
• sudden tingling or coldness in an arm or leg
• sudden slow or difficult speech
• sudden drowsiness or need to sleep
• sudden weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• fast breathing
• sharp pain when taking a deep breath
• fast or slow heartbeat
• coughing up blood
• rust colored urine
• decreased amount of urine
• fainting
• seizures

Aminocaproic acid injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

If you will be using aminocaproic acid injection at home, store the medication as directed by your health care provider and out of the reach of children. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• seizures

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to aminocaproic acid injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.