EPSILON-AMINOCAPROIC ACID (EACA)
Andy Nguyen,M.D./ UT-Medical School at Houston, Pathology/
Last Revision on: 12/9/96
- Composition:
EACA is a synthetic lysine analogue. It differs from lysine
only in a lack of an alpha amino group. EACA binds to plasminogen,
inducing conformational change to block the lysine binding sites.
Thus plasmin cannot bind to fibrin and fibrinolysis is inhibited.
- Dosage:
an IV loading dose of 5 gm, followed by continuous infusion
of 0.5-1.0 gm per hour. EACA may also be given orally in the form
of tablets or a syrup.
- Contraindicated:
in patients in the first trimester of pregnancy
because it has a teratogenic potential.