Antifibrinolytic agents for hemophilia

Examples

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Amicar	epsilon-aminocaproic acid

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Cyklokapron	tranexamic acid

How It Works

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Antifibrinolytic agents may be used in specific situations or in combination with clotting factor replacement to treat hemophilia. Antifibrinolytic agents prevent the breakdown of blood clots by neutralizing chemicals in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and urinary tract that break down clots.

Why It Is Used

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Antifibrinolytic agents are used to treat nosebleeds (epistaxis) and to help prevent bleeding in the mouth before dental surgery.

How Well It Works

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Antifibrinolytic agents effectively prevent bleeding of the mouth when they are combined with a preventive dose of clotting factor.

Side Effects

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Possible side effects of antifibrinolytic agents include:

• Upset stomach.
• Headache.
• Flushing.
• Abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

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Clotting factors are more effective than antifibrinolytic agents. However, antifibrinolytic medicines may be given instead of or along with clotting factors in certain situations. For example, antifibrinolytic agents may be used to:

• Help prevent bleeding in the mouth, nose, or urinary tract only.
• Help prevent bleeding after dental surgery instead of clotting factor replacement.

Also, unlike clotting factors, antifibrinolytic medication can be taken in pill or liquid form and do not have to be injected.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Credits

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Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
Last Updated	August 20, 2007