Aminocaproic acid (also known as ε-aminocaproic acid, ε-Ahx, or 6-aminohexanoic acid) is a derivative and analogue of the amino acidlysine, which makes it an effective inhibitor for enzymes that bind that particular residue. Such enzymes include proteolytic enzymes like plasmin, the enzyme responsible for fibrinolysis. For this reason it is effective in treatment of certain bleeding disorders, and it is sold under the brand name Amicar.[3] Aminocaproic acid is also an intermediate in the polymerization of Nylon-6, where it is formed by ring-opening hydrolysis of caprolactam. The crystal structure determination showed that the 6-aminohexanoic acid is present as a salt, at least in the solid state.[4]
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) is FDA-approved for use in the treatment of acute bleeding due to elevated fibrinolytic activity.[3] It also carries an orphan drug designation from the FDA for the prevention of recurrent hemorrhage in patients with traumatic hyphema.[5][6] In clinical practice, aminocaproic acid is frequently used off-label for control of bleeding in patients with severe thrombocytopenia,[7] control of oral bleeding in patients with congenital and acquired coagulation disorders,[8] control of perioperative bleeding associated with cardiac surgery,[9][10] prevention of excessive bleeding in patients on anticoagulation therapy undergoing invasive dental procedures,[11] and reduction of the risk of catastrophic hemorrhage in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia.[12]
^Crouch Jr ER, Williams PB, Gray MK, Chames M (September 1997). "Topical aminocaproic acid in the treatment of traumatic hyphema". Archives of Ophthalmology. 115 (9): 1106–1112. doi:10.1001/archopht.1997.01100160276001. PMID9298049.
^Bartholomew JR, Salgia R, Bell WR (September 1989). "Control of bleeding in patients with immune and nonimmune thrombocytopenia with aminocaproic acid". Archives of Internal Medicine. 149 (9): 1959–1961. doi:10.1001/archinte.1989.00390090039008. PMID2774776.
^Lucas ON, Albert TW (February 1981). "Epsilon aminocaproic acid in hemophiliacs undergoing dental extractions: a concise review". Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology. 51 (2): 115–120. doi:10.1016/0030-4220(81)90025-6. PMID6782532.
^Patatanian E, Fugate SE (December 2006). "Hemostatic mouthwashes in anticoagulated patients undergoing dental extraction". The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 40 (12): 2205–2210. doi:10.1345/aph.1H295. PMID17090725. S2CID33961815.