Amidocaproic acid is a medication used to prevent excessive bleeding during surgeries or dental procedures. The spelling of this word follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription system. The word starts with the vowel sound "a" as in "apple" and is followed by the consonants "m", "d", "k", and "p". The stress is on the third syllable, "ca". The last part of the word is pronounced as "k", "r", "ɪ", and "k", respectively. Overall, amidocaproic acid is a complicated word in terms of its spelling, but its phonetic transcription helps in its pronunciation.
Amidocaproic acid is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of drugs known as antifibrinolytics. Also referred to as aminocaproic acid or ε-aminocaproic acid, it is derived from the amino acid lysine and is commonly used in the medical field for its hemostatic properties.
Amidocaproic acid works by promoting the stability of blood clots and preventing their breakdown, a process called fibrinolysis. It achieves this by inhibiting plasmin, an enzyme that degrades fibrin, the main component of blood clots. By preventing the activity of plasmin, amidocaproic acid helps to maintain effective clot formation and minimize excessive bleeding in various clinical situations.
The primary medical application of amidocaproic acid is in the treatment and prevention of excessive bleeding, either spontaneous or related to certain medical interventions or procedures. It is commonly used during surgical procedures such as cardiac surgery, prostate surgery, and orthopedic surgeries, where the risk of blood loss is high. Additionally, amidocaproic acid is used to manage bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
While amidocaproic acid is generally well-tolerated, it may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and muscle cramps. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before using amidocaproic acid, especially for people with a history of kidney disease or blood clotting disorders.
In summary, amidocaproic acid is a medication that helps promote clot stability and suppresses fibrinolysis, making it an effective tool in managing and preventing excessive bleeding in various medical conditions and surgical procedures.
Leucin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "amidocaproic acid" has its etymology rooted in the chemical composition of the compound. Here is a breakdown:
1. Amido: The prefix "amido" indicates the presence of an amide functional group (-CONH2) in the compound. This functional group consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a nitrogen atom (N) and is derived from the term "amide".
2. Caproic: The term "caproic" refers to caproic acid, which is a six-carbon saturated fatty acid. The term is derived from the Latin word "capro" meaning "goat" because it was originally isolated from the unpleasant-smelling goat fat.
3. Acid: The suffix "acid" refers to the compound being an acidic substance, which can donate protons (H+) when dissolved in water.