How does Amicar work?

• A. Inhibit conversion of plasminogen to plasmin
• B. Inhibit platelet aggregation
• C. Activate plasmin
• D. Inhibit thrombin

Answer: (A)

Amicar works by preventing clot breakdown, acting as an antifibrinolytic. It is a competitive inhibitor that blocks plasminogen activation and plasmin activity by occupying lysine-binding sites on these molecules. This reduces the formation of plasmin from plasminogen and also hinders plasmin from binding to fibrin, so fibrinolysis is diminished and clots remain stable. It does not affect platelet aggregation, does not activate plasmin, and does not inhibit thrombin, which are different mechanisms used by other drugs.