Your Patients Can't Find Aminocaproic Acid — Here's How You Can Help

When a patient calls your office saying their pharmacy can't fill their Aminocaproic Acid prescription, it creates a cascade of problems: delayed treatment, patient anxiety, wasted staff time fielding calls, and potential clinical risk. As supply of this antifibrinolytic medication continues to fluctuate in 2026, having a systematic approach can save your practice time and keep patients on therapy.

This guide provides five concrete steps your team can take, along with workflow tips to proactively manage Aminocaproic Acid access challenges. For clinical context on the shortage, see our provider shortage briefing.

Current Availability Overview

As of early 2026, Aminocaproic Acid availability by formulation:

• 500 mg oral tablets: Available from generic manufacturers but inconsistently stocked at retail pharmacies, particularly chains.
• 1000 mg oral tablets: Limited availability after Akorn discontinued production.
• 250 mg/mL oral solution: Available but less commonly stocked.
• 250 mg/mL IV injection: Most affected by manufacturing delays (Pfizer). Hospital supply is intermittent.

The core issue is that Aminocaproic Acid is a low-volume generic with few manufacturers, making the supply chain vulnerable to any disruption. Your patients aren't doing anything wrong — the drug is simply harder to find than most medications.

Why Patients Can't Find It

Understanding the patient experience helps frame your intervention:

• Chain pharmacies often don't stock it. Large retail pharmacies stock based on dispensing volume. A medication filled a few times per month may not be kept on the shelf.
• Patients don't know to try independent pharmacies. Most patients default to their usual chain pharmacy and don't realize that independent pharmacies have more ordering flexibility.
• Formulation confusion. A patient prescribed the 1000 mg tablet may not realize the 500 mg tablet (taken as two) is available.
• Cost sticker shock. Even when found, the $290+ retail price without a discount card can prevent a fill. Patients may not be aware of savings programs.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Steps

Step 1: Direct Patients to Medfinder

Medfinder allows patients (or your staff) to search for pharmacies with Aminocaproic Acid in stock by zip code. Consider:

• Adding Medfinder to your patient handout for Aminocaproic Acid prescriptions
• Having your staff check availability before the patient leaves the office
• Sending the link via patient portal message along with the e-prescription

This single step can eliminate the most common bottleneck: patients going to a pharmacy that doesn't have the drug.

Step 2: Prescribe With Formulation Flexibility

When clinically appropriate, write prescriptions that give the pharmacist room to dispense what's available:

• Prescribe "aminocaproic acid 500 mg" rather than 1000 mg, since the 500 mg tablet is more widely available
• Consider adding "may substitute oral solution if tablets unavailable" in the notes
• If writing for an institutional setting, confirm IV availability with your pharmacy department before scheduling procedures

Step 3: Have a Backup Plan Ready

For patients where Aminocaproic Acid is the first-line choice, consider having a documented backup:

• Tranexamic Acid — most direct substitute, 10x more potent, more widely available. Dosing: 1-1.3 g PO TID for most indications (adjust for renal function).
• Desmopressin — for patients with mild hemophilia A or von Willebrand disease.
• Document the backup in the patient's chart so that if they call reporting unavailability, your team can quickly pivot without requiring a full provider review.

For clinical comparison, see alternatives to Aminocaproic Acid.

Step 4: Address the Cost Barrier

Even when available, cost can prevent patients from filling the prescription. Equip your patients with cost-saving resources:

• GoodRx coupon: Can reduce the price from ~$290 to as low as $32-$36
• SingleCare: Similar savings, prices starting around $35-$45
• NeedyMeds / RxAssist: For patients with financial hardship who may qualify for assistance programs

Having a printed card or handout with these options ready to go can make a real difference. For detailed cost-saving guidance, see how to help patients save money on Aminocaproic Acid.

Step 5: Recommend Proactive Refill Strategies

Help patients avoid emergencies by advising:

• Refill prescriptions 3-5 days before running out
• Request 90-day supplies when insurance allows, to reduce refill frequency
• Build a relationship with a specific pharmacist who can proactively order the medication
• Bookmark Medfinder for quick availability checks if their usual pharmacy runs out

Alternatives: Quick Clinical Reference

When Aminocaproic Acid isn't available and a therapeutic alternative is needed:

• Tranexamic Acid: Lysine-analog antifibrinolytic. ~10x more potent. Available as 650 mg oral tablets and IV injection. Most direct pharmacologic substitute. More widely stocked.
• Desmopressin (DDAVP): Stimulates release of vWF and factor VIII. Nasal spray, IV, or subcutaneous. Appropriate for mild hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease only.
• Compounded Tranexamic Acid mouthwash: For dental bleeding specifically. Requires compounding pharmacy.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

To minimize disruption from ongoing supply issues, consider these practice-level strategies:

• Create a template note in your EHR for Aminocaproic Acid prescriptions that includes availability tips, Medfinder link, and coupon card information.
• Flag Aminocaproic Acid patients in your panel so staff can proactively reach out if shortage status changes.
• Empower your MA or nurse to check Medfinder and confirm pharmacy availability before sending e-prescriptions.
• Maintain a shortage alternatives reference that includes dosing conversions for Tranexamic Acid, so provider sign-off on a switch can happen quickly.
• Monitor ASHP Drug Shortage updates quarterly for changes in supply status.

Final Thoughts

The Aminocaproic Acid supply situation requires providers to be more proactive than usual in the prescribing-to-fill workflow. By directing patients to Medfinder, prescribing flexibly, having backup alternatives documented, and addressing cost barriers upfront, you can significantly reduce the friction your patients experience.

The shortage is a supply chain problem, not a clinical one — and with the right tools and systems, your practice can navigate it efficiently. For the patient-facing version of this guidance, share our article on how to find Aminocaproic Acid in stock with your patients.