Aminocaproic Acid Is an Antifibrinolytic Medication That Helps Stop Excessive Bleeding by Stabilizing Blood Clots

If your doctor has mentioned Aminocaproic Acid — or you've seen it on a prescription label — you probably have questions. What does it do? Why was it prescribed? What should you know before taking it?

This guide covers everything you need to know about Aminocaproic Acid in plain language: what it is, what it's used for, how to take it, who shouldn't use it, and what it costs in 2026.

What Is Aminocaproic Acid?

Aminocaproic Acid is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called antifibrinolytics. Its job is to help your body keep blood clots stable so they don't break down too quickly, which would lead to excessive bleeding.

Here are the key facts:

• Brand name: Amicar (largely unavailable; most prescriptions are filled as the generic)
• Generic name: Aminocaproic Acid (also known as Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid or EACA)
• Drug class: Antifibrinolytic agent (hemostatic)
• Manufacturer: Pfizer originally manufactured the brand Amicar. Today, multiple generic manufacturers produce Aminocaproic Acid.
• Controlled substance: No — Aminocaproic Acid is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule.

To understand how this medication works at a deeper level, read our article on how Aminocaproic Acid works.

What Is Aminocaproic Acid Used For?

Aminocaproic Acid is FDA-approved for treating acute bleeding syndromes caused by elevated fibrinolytic activity. In simpler terms, it's used when your body is breaking down blood clots too fast, causing uncontrolled bleeding.

Specific approved uses include:

• Bleeding complications after cardiac surgery
• Bleeding associated with blood disorders (hematological disorders)
• Bleeding related to liver cirrhosis
• Bleeding associated with cancer (neoplastic disease)
• Life-threatening bleeding from abruptio placentae (placenta detachment during pregnancy)
• Surgical and nonsurgical blood in the urine (hematuria)

Off-Label Uses

Doctors also prescribe Aminocaproic Acid for several conditions that are not listed on the FDA label but are supported by clinical evidence:

• Prevention of dental bleeding in patients with Hemophilia A
• Preventing rebleeding after brain aneurysm rupture (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
• Bleeding in the eye from trauma (traumatic hyphema)
• Hereditary angioedema prevention
• Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
• Bleeding from radiation-related bladder damage (radiation cystitis)

How Is Aminocaproic Acid Taken?

Aminocaproic Acid comes in several forms:

• Oral tablets: 500 mg and 1000 mg (the 1000 mg tablet has limited availability due to Akorn's discontinuation)
• Oral solution: 250 mg/mL
• Intravenous (IV) injection: 250 mg/mL in 20 mL vials — given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic

Typical Dosing

The usual dosing schedule is:

1. Loading dose: 4–5 grams by mouth or IV during the first hour
2. Maintenance dose: 1–1.25 grams per hour
3. Duration: Continued for about 8 hours, or until the bleeding is controlled
4. Maximum dose: 30 grams per 24 hours

Important tips for taking it:

• Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water
• Can be taken with or without food (food may help with nausea)
• For the oral solution, use the provided measuring device for accurate dosing
• Follow your doctor's exact dosing schedule — do not adjust the dose on your own

Who Should Not Take Aminocaproic Acid?

Aminocaproic Acid is not safe for everyone. You should not take this medication if you have:

• Active intravascular clotting (disseminated intravascular coagulation/DIC) — unless you're also receiving Heparin
• Upper urinary tract bleeding — due to the risk of blood clots blocking the kidneys
• Allergy to Aminocaproic Acid
• No confirmed diagnosis of hyperfibrinolysis — the FDA labeling specifically states this drug should not be used without lab confirmation that excessive fibrinolysis is occurring

Use with caution if you have:

• Kidney disease (the drug is cleared by the kidneys, so impaired function can lead to buildup)
• A history of blood clots (DVT, PE, stroke)
• Heart disease

Be sure to tell your doctor about all of your health conditions. For a full list of medications to watch out for, see our drug interactions guide. For side effect information, read our side effects guide.

How Much Does Aminocaproic Acid Cost?

The cost depends on whether you have insurance and which formulation you need:

• Retail price (without insurance): $290–$650 for oral tablets, depending on quantity and strength
• With a discount coupon: As low as $32–$36 through GoodRx or SingleCare
• Insurance: Generally covered by most commercial insurance plans and Medicare Part D as a generic. Prior authorization may be required in some cases.

There is no manufacturer savings card since the brand Amicar is largely unavailable. However, patients can use discount programs like GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver. For patients with financial hardship, programs like NeedyMeds, RxAssist, and RxHope may offer additional help.

For a complete breakdown of savings options, read our guide to saving money on Aminocaproic Acid.

Final Thoughts

Aminocaproic Acid is a well-established medication that has been helping patients with bleeding disorders for decades. It's effective, available as an affordable generic, and used across multiple medical specialties. If you've been prescribed this medication, the most important things are to take it exactly as directed, watch for side effects, and talk to your doctor about any concerns.

If you're having trouble finding Aminocaproic Acid at your pharmacy, Medfinder can help you check which pharmacies have it in stock — without calling around.