Antifibrinolytic agents for von Willebrand's disease

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
aminocaproic acid	Amicar
tranexamic acid	Cyklokapron

Antifibrinolytic agents can be taken in pill or liquid form, applied to the skin (topically), or given as an injection into the vein (intravenously).

How It Works

Von Willebrand's disease is a bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. Antifibrinolytic agents help prevent blood clots from breaking down in certain areas of the body. These medications specifically target the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, stomach, intestines, and urinary tract.

Why It Is Used

Health professionals usually use antifibrinolytic agents to treat nosebleeds and to prevent bleeding in the mouth during dental surgery. They may also use these medications in combination with desmopressin and plasma replacement therapies during minor and major surgery.

How Well It Works

Antifibrinolytic agents are especially effective in preventing or controlling mild bleeding in the mouth. Although they may be combined with preventive clotting factors to replace certain properties in your blood cells, very few studies confirm the benefit of this approach.¹

Side Effects

Possible side effects of antifibrinolytic agents include:

• Upset stomach.
• Headache.
• Redness of the face and neck (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

Antifibrinolytic agents should be avoided if there is a risk of blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), or if bleeding is occurring in the urinary or genital systems.²

When used alone, these medications usually help control mild bleeding in the mouth, nose, stomach, intestines, or urinary tract.

Some people can use these medications instead of clotting factor replacement therapy after dental surgery.

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

Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: November 29, 2006
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.