Tranexamic Acid
About Tranexamic Acid
Tranexamic Acid is a prescription medication used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in women. It works by helping to stabilise blood clots in the uterus, thereby reducing excessive menstrual blood loss. This treatment is specifically intended to make your periods lighter and more manageable without altering your body's natural hormonal balance.
You should take Tranexamic Acid only during your menstrual period, typically starting on your heaviest bleeding days for up to five consecutive days. Taking your doses at the same times each day ensures the medication maintains a consistent level in your system to control bleeding effectively. You can take the tablets with or without food. Combining this treatment with lifestyle changes, such as keeping a detailed menstrual calendar and staying hydrated, can help you and your doctor monitor its effectiveness.
Some people taking this medication may experience mild, common side effects such as headaches, sinus congestion, or back and joint pain. However, you must stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, such as sudden changes in your vision, chest pain, or swelling in your legs.
Before starting Tranexamic Acid, talk to your doctor if you have kidney disease, irregular bleeding between periods, or are using any hormonal birth control. Do not take this medicine if you have a history of blood clots, currently have active blood clots in your veins or arteries, or are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Using Tranexamic Acid alongside oestrogen-containing contraceptives or smoking while taking this medication can significantly increase your risk of dangerous blood clots. You should also consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, as this treatment may not be suitable for everyone.
Uses of Tranexamic Acid
• Menorrhagia Management: Tranexamic Acid is commonly used to manage heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) in women, helping to regulate menstrual flow effectively.
• Trauma Treatment: Tranexamic Acid may be prescribed for individuals experiencing trauma to help control bleeding during and after the incident.
• Endometriosis Treatment: Tranexamic Acid is effective in reducing heavy bleeding linked to endometriosis, offering relief from associated symptoms.
• Bleeding Disorders Aid: Tranexamic Acid is also recommended for certain bleeding disorders, aiding in the prevention and reduction of bleeding episodes.
Medicinal Benefits
Tranexamic Acid helps manage excessive menstrual bleeding by reducing blood loss and supporting overall wellbeing during menstruation. By helping control heavy periods, it can improve daily comfort and reduce the impact of menstrual symptoms on quality of life.
- Helps Reduce Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: By stabilising blood clots and reducing excessive blood loss, Tranexamic Acid helps decrease the volume of menstrual flow, making periods more manageable and comfortable.
- Supports Healthy Iron Levels and Energy: By reducing excessive blood loss, Tranexamic Acid may help lower the risk of iron-deficiency anaemia associated with heavy periods. This can help reduce symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and dizziness.
- Provides a Non-Hormonal Treatment Option: Tranexamic Acid works without altering natural hormone levels or menstrual cycles. It is typically taken only during menstrual periods, offering a convenient treatment approach without the need for continuous daily use.
Directions for Use
- Tranexamic Acid can be taken with or without food.
- It is usually taken 2-3 times a day or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Tranexamic Acid as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Tranexamic Acid
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Nasal or sinus congestion
- Back, muscle, or joint pain
- Mild abdominal pain or upset stomach
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Changes in your vision, such as difficulty seeing colors, sudden blurriness, or blind spots
- Signs of a blood clot, including sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, coughing up blood, or sudden pain and swelling in one leg
- Severe allergic reactions, including hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Sudden, unusually severe headache, confusion, or difficulty speaking
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Drug Warnings
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water during your period to maintain healthy blood volume and support optimal circulation.
- Eat iron-rich foods: Incorporate foods like leafy green vegetables, beans, lentils, and lean red meats into your diet to help rebuild iron levels depleted by heavy bleeding.
- Keep a menstrual diary: Record the number of sanitary pads or tampons you use each day, along with any symptoms, to help your doctor evaluate how well Tranexamic Acid is working for you.
- Avoid smoking: Tobacco use increases the risk of serious cardiovascular issues and dangerous blood clots, especially when taking clotting-stabilizing medications.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Hormonal contraceptives (containing oestrogen): Combining these with Tranexamic Acid significantly increases the risk of developing blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.
- Blood thinners (such as warfarin, heparin, or oral anticoagulants): These medications have the opposite effect of Tranexamic Acid, which can make both treatments less effective and increase bleeding risks.
- Clot-dissolving therapies (thrombolytics): Taking these alongside Tranexamic Acid can block the therapeutic action of both medications.
Drug-Disease Interactions
- History of blood clots (thrombosis): Do not take this medication if you have a history of blood clots in your lungs, legs, veins, or brain, as it may cause new clots to form.
- Kidney disease: Because this medication is processed and cleared by your kidneys, impaired kidney function can cause the drug to build up in your body, requiring a lower dose or a different treatment.
- Active bleeding in the eye: Do not take this medication if you have bleeding inside your eye, as it can cause blood clots to form in the ocular vessels and lead to permanent vision damage.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeTranexamic Acid may not interact with alcohol. However, avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may worsen your health condition.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorTranexamic Acid is a category B medicine and may not cause toxic effects to the fetus. However, it should be used only when prescribed by a doctor for pregnant women.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorTranexamic Acid should be used in breastfeeding mothers only if prescribed by a doctor.
Driving
unsafeTranexamic Acid may cause dizziness. Hence, it is advised to avoid driving or operating machines for some period after taking Tranexamic Acid.
Liver
cautionTranexamic Acid should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Your doctor may suggest a dose adjustment if needed based on your health condition.
Kidney
cautionTranexamic Acid should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Your doctor may suggest a dose adjustment if needed based on your health condition.
Children
consult your doctorTranexamic Acid should be used in children under 12 years of age only if clinically needed. The child specialist makes dose adjustments.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Ask your doctor about the exercises you prefer based on your health condition.
- Stay hydrated and consume plenty of fluids. Fluids are necessary to maintain blood flow in your body.
- Consume fresh fruits and vegetables. Consult a dietitian and prepare a diet plan. Eating healthy can help you to recover faster.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may suggest regular eye check-ups while taking Tranexamic Acid.
- Increased risk of blood clot formation when co-administered with a combination oral contraceptive. Consult your doctor before taking any medication.
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: This is a condition characterized by blood in the anterior chamber of the eye due to a blunt injury. It may also result in vision loss.
Hereditary angioneurotic edema (HANO): It is a hereditary disease that causes recurrent painless swelling under the skin.
Dental Procedures: It is a procedure involving dental issues during which bleeding occurs
FAQs
Tranexamic Acid is used to treat abnormal or unwanted bleeding.
Tranexamic Acid is an antifibrinolytic agent that can stop the bleeding effectively. It stops the breakdown of blood clots by inhibiting the action of plasmin (an enzyme essential for the breakdown of blood clots).
Tranexamic Acid should be used temporarily to control bleeding. Do not use it frequently or for a long time without consulting your doctor.
Tranexamic Acid cannot stop periods. It can only reduce the bleeding in cases of heavy bleeding. However, do not use this medicine for any indication without consulting your doctor.
Tranexamic Acid should not be taken with birth control pills, including the vaginal ring, intrauterine device and the patch, as there is a risk of ‘deep vein thrombosis’ (formation of a blood clot in the deeper vein, mostly legs). So, inform your doctor before taking Tranexamic Acid, if you are taking any birth control pills.
Tranexamic Acid may not affect fertility. It is used to stop abnormal bleeding during heavy periods. Inform your doctor before using this medicine to avoid any unwanted side effects.
Tranexamic Acid can be used in children with caution. Your doctor may make dose adjustments based on the age, weight and health condition of your child.
Tranexamic Acid may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea and itchy skin in some patients. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Take Tranexamic Acid as advised by your doctor. Make sure you take Tranexamic Acid at the same time every day for better results.
You should take Tranexamic Acid as per the dose and frequency prescribed by the doctor. Depending on the condition it is being taken for, different people require different dose and frequency of this medicine. Do not take more than the recommended daily dose by the doctor.
Yes, the use of Tranexamic Acid can cause diarrhea. In such cases, drink plenty of water or other fluids. If this condition persists or worsens, consult your doctor. Never take any other medication without consulting a doctor.
No, taking a higher than the recommended dose may not be more effective, rather it may increase the risk of toxicity and serious side effects. If your symptoms are not relieved or there is an increased severity of your symptoms after using the recommended doses, please consult your doctor.
Store Tranexamic Acid in a cool, dry and dark place. Protect from direct sunlight. Keep it out of reach of children.
No, Tranexamic Acid is not a hormone. It is an antifibrinolytic medication that works directly on your blood's clotting system to reduce bleeding, rather than altering your hormone levels. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how non-hormonal treatments work.
While there is no direct chemical interaction between alcohol and Tranexamic Acid, drinking alcohol can affect your hydration and blood pressure. It is best to limit alcohol intake while managing heavy bleeding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
If you experience any vision changes, such as difficulty seeing colours or sudden blurriness, stop taking Tranexamic Acid immediately and contact your doctor. These symptoms require urgent medical evaluation by an eye specialist.
No, you should only start taking Tranexamic Acid once your menstrual period has actually begun. It is not designed to prevent a period from starting. Talk to your doctor for exact guidance on when to start your first dose each month.
