Tranexamic Acid
About Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic Acid belongs to the class of medications called ‘anti-fibrinolytic drugs. It is mainly used to treat abnormal bleeding in various conditions such as menorrhagia (heavy bleeding in periods), epistaxis (nose bleeds), cervical surgery (conization of the cervix), post-prostatectomy (prostate surgery), post-cystectomy (bladder surgery), traumatic hyphaema (bleeding inside the eye), before tooth removal (dental extraction) in hemophiliacs (people who bleed more easily than normal) and a hereditary disease called angioneurotic oedema (HANO).
Tranexamic Acid contains an anti-fibrinolytic drug, tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid helps the body's natural blood clotting system by reducing fibrin breakdown, which inhibits fibrinolysis, a process that limits the development of blood clots. As a result, Tranexamic Acid contributes to the prevention of excessive bleeding.
Tranexamic Acid is a parenteral form. It will be administered by the healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Tranexamic Acid may cause side effects such as feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea, vomiting, itchy skin, and pain at the injection site. These side effects usually disappear with time. However, consult your doctor immediately if these side effects persist or if you develop any other serious side effects, such as vision problems while using Tranexamic Acid.
If you are allergic to Tranexamic Acid or any other medicines, please inform your doctor. Inform your doctor if you have pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (a disease where blood clots form throughout your body), thrombosis (formation of blood clots in the blood vessels) or seizures (fits), as this medicine is not recommended in such cases. Also, inform your doctor before receiving this injection if you are using any birth control pills or fibrinolytic agents (medicines that dissolve blood clots) or if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Uses of Tranexamic Acid
• Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Tranexamic Acid is often used to reduce excessive bleeding during menstrual periods, helping to regulate and control heavy menstrual cycles.
• Control of Bleeding during Surgical Procedures: Tranexamic Acid may be utilized to minimize blood loss during surgical operations, particularly in gynecological surgeries.
• Support in Cases of Postpartum Hemorrhage: Tranexamic Acid can be effective in managing excessive bleeding that occurs after childbirth, helping to stabilize the patient.
• Combatting Other Bleeding Disorders: Tranexamic Acid may be used to treat various other bleeding disorders where clotting problems exist, assisting in controlling bleeding episodes.
Medicinal Benefits
Tranexamic Acid contains tranexamic acid, which is an anti-fibrinolytic medication. Tranexamic acid helps the body's natural blood clot process by preventing fibrin's breakdown, and this stops fibrinolysis, a process that stops blood clot formation. Thus Tranexamic Acid helps to prevent excessive bleeding.
Directions for Use
- Your doctor will determine the dosage and frequency depending on your condition.
- Tranexamic Acid will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Tranexamic Acid
Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Itchy skin
- Pain at the injection site
- Injection site reactions
- Vomiting
Drug Warnings
Before administering Tranexamic Acid, inform your doctor if you notice blood in your urine (except during periods), or have a history of uncontrollable bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (a disease where blood clots form throughout your body), irregular periods and kidney disease. Also, inform your doctor if you or your family has a history of thrombosis (formation of blood clots in the blood vessels). Let your doctor know if you are taking medicine to treat a hereditary disease called angioneurotic oedema (HANO) every day for a long time. Your doctor may advise regular eye tests and blood tests to check your vision problems and also liver/kidney functioning. Inform your doctor if you are using birth control pills, including the patch, vaginal ring, and an intrauterine device (IUD), as there is a risk of deep vein thrombosis (a condition in which a blood clot is formed in the deeper vein, mostly the legs). Inform your doctor if you are using fibrinolytic agents (drugs that break blood clots) such as streptokinase, as they may stop the effect of Tranexamic Acid. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Tranexamic Acid may interact with fibrinolytic drugs (streptokinase, urokinase, reteplase, alteplase, and tenecteplase, etc.), an antipsychotic drug (chlorpromazine), and a drug used to treat blood cancer (tretinoin) and progestins (levonorgestrel).
Drug-food interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-disease interactions: Tranexamic Acid interacts with various disease conditions, including colour vision defect, active intravascular clotting, intracranial haemorrhage, seizures (fits) and renal dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionTranexamic Acid may not interact with alcohol. However, avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may worsen your health condition.
Pregnancy
cautionTranexamic Acid should not be used when pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Tranexamic Acid.
Breast Feeding
cautionTranexamic Acid should not be used in nursing mothers unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Tranexamic Acid.
Driving
cautionTranexamic Acid does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, do not drive if you experience unwanted effects after taking Tranexamic Acid.
Liver
cautionNo information is available on the use of Tranexamic Acid in patients with liver problems. Inform your doctor if you have liver conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative if needed based on your health condition.
Kidney
cautionTranexamic Acid should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Inform your doctor if you have kidney conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose or prescribe a suitable alternative if needed based on your health condition.
Children
cautionTranexamic Acid should be used in children below 12 years of age only if clinically needed. The dose will be decided by your doctor based on your child's age and condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Follow a healthy diet. Include vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your meals.
Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water.
Cut down on sugars, salts, spicy food, coffee, and alcohol.
A heating pad can help ease the pain by placing it on the belly or lower back.
Exercise can help ease the pain of menstrual cramps.
Avoid stress by performing meditation or yoga.
Massage your lower back or abdomen to relieve the pain.
Take proper rest.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Menorrhagia: It is a condition characterized by heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstrual periods which last for more than seven days
Epistaxis: Bleeding from the nose when the blood vessels of the nose lining burst. This can occur due to dryness or nose injury.
Post-operative bleeding: It is bleeding after surgery due to the blood vessel rupture. Some people may experience mild to severe bleeding due to cuts made during surgery.
Traumatic hyphema: It is a condition characterized by the presence of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye due to a blunt injury. This condition may also result in vision loss.
Hereditary angioneurotic oedema (HANO): Hereditary angioneurotic oedema is a hereditary disease that causes recurrent painless swelling under the skin.
FAQs
Tranexamic Acid is used to treat abnormal or unwanted bleeding.
Tranexamic Acid contains tranexamic acid, an anti-fibrinolytic drug. Tranexamic acid helps the body's natural blood clotting mechanism by reducing fibrin breakdown, which prevents fibrinolysis, a process that prevents blood clot formation. As a result, Tranexamic Acid helps to prevent excessive bleeding.
Taking this medication together with birth control pills may raise your chance of getting blood clots. To avoid pregnancy, use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicide). Consult your doctor in case of concerns.
People who have frequent nosebleeds or heavy periods can take tranexamic acid for a long time, for months or years. They normally only take it for a few days or a week at a time when the bleeding is severe. Take this medicine as your doctor prescribed.
Appropriate investigations have not revealed any geriatric-specific issues that would restrict the use of Tranexamic Acid in the elderly. However, senior people are more prone to develop age-related renal issues. Thus, patients getting this medication should exercise caution.
