Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Antifibrinolytic, antihemorrhagic
Uses
- Treats serious bleeding, especially occurring after surgery,
dental or otherwise.
- Sometimes used before surgery in hopes of preventing excessive
bleeding in patients with disorders that increase the chance
of serious bleeding.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid
or food.
Syrup--Take as directed on label.
When to take:
As directed by your doctor.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't double this dose.
What drug does:
Inhibits activation of plasminogen to cause blood clots to
disintegrate.
Time lapse before drug works:
Within 2 hours.
Don't take with:
Thrombolytic chemicals such as streptokinase, urokinase.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
None expected for oral forms. Injectable forms may cause drop
in blood pressure or slow heartbeat.
WHAT TO DO:
Follow doctor's instructions.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Shortness of breath, Seek emergency treatment. slurred speech,
leg or arm numbness.
Common:
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe menstrual cramps.
Infrequent:
Dizziness; headache; muscular pain and weakness; red eyes;
ringing in ears; skin rash; abdominal pain; stuffy nose; decreased
urine; swelling of feet, face, legs; rapid weight gain.
Rare:
- Unusual tiredness, blurred vision, clotting of menstrual
flow.
- Signs of thrombosis (sudden, severe headache; pains in
chest, groin or legs; loss of coordin- ation; shortness
of breath; slurred speech; vision changes; weakness or numbness
in arms or leg).
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You are allergic to aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid.
- You have a diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation
(DIC).
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have heart disease.
- If you have bleeding from the kidney.
- If you have had impaired liver function.
- If you have had kidney disease or urination difficulty.
- If you have blood clots in parts of the body.
Over age 60:
No changes from other age groups expected.
Pregnancy:
Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your
doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.
Breast-feeding:
No problems documented. Consult doctor.
Infants & children:
Use for children only under doctor's supervision.
Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations
or laboratory studies to check eyes.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't
climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if
you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and
reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
- Should not be used in patients with disseminated intravascular
coagulation.
- Have eyes checked frequently.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
