Tranexamic Acid

Description

Tranexamic Acid is a medicine that is used in the treatment of uncontrollable bleeding conditions that are seen after tooth extraction, in menstruation, haemorrhage (the release of blood from a broken blood vessel), angioedema (painless swelling under the skin), etc. Tranexamic Acid works by slowing the blood clotting and this action prevents loss of blood. It is one of the safest medicines that are used to control bleeding. Tranexamic Acid may cause side effects such as pain in the chest, cough, shortness of breath, swelling of limbs, fatigue, etc. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Tranexamic Acid. Avoid driving vehicles or doing activities that require your concentration after taking this medicine as it may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Tranexamic Acid is available in different dosage forms like tablet, tablet SR, capsule and injection. The dose, the dosage form of medicine and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your condition and other underlying conditions. The oral form of tranexamic acid can be taken with or without food. The injectable form of tranexamic acid should be administered into your vein by a health care professional in a hospital. Hence, do not self administer. Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding before taking Tranexamic Acid. Let your doctor know if you have any medical conditions like kidney, eye and heart problems before taking this medicine.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Tranexamic Acid

  • Headache
  • Running nose and cough
  • Back pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Pale skin
  • Allergic skin reaction
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Unusual tiredness and weakness
  • Change in color vision
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
  • Pain in the chest region
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Presence of blood in cough

Uses of Tranexamic Acid

What is it prescribed for?

  • Menorrhagia
  • Short-term management of hemorrhage
  • Hereditary angioedema
  • Preventing blood loss during surgeries
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of Tranexamic Acid in the body depends on the dosage form preferred. Injectable form (injection): The onset of action can be observed within 10-30 minutes of administration. Oral form (tablet, tablet SR, capsule): the onset of action is not known.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of Tranexamic Acid lasts for an average duration of 2-4 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid consuming alcohol while using Tranexamic Acid as may increase the risk of drowsiness and dizziness.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Tranexamic Acid.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Tranexamic Acid is generally safe to be used in pregnancy. It is not known to cause any harm to your fetus. However, inform your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Tranexamic Acid is safe to be used during breastfeeding. However, inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Avoid taking/receiving Tranexamic Acid if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Acquired defective color vision

Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use in people with defective colour vision/colour blindness (a condition in which the individual may have difficulty in identifying different shades of colours) as this medicine has been reported to worsen this condition.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use if you have a haemorrhage (a medicinal condition in which there will be loss of blood from the ruptured blood vessel) in the area between the brain and its outer covering as it may worsen your health condition and cause serious side effects.

Obstructive blood clotting disorder

Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use if you have clotting disorders of the heart and blood vessels as may lead to serious side effects. The clots may also move from the place of origin and lodge in other locations.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Tranexamic Acid is generally safe to be used in pregnancy. It is not known to cause any harm to your fetus. However, inform your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Tranexamic Acid is safe to be used during breastfeeding. However, inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Use of contraceptives

Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use in women who are using hormonal contraceptives (pills, patches, vaginal rings, or injections) as it may increase the risk of serious side effects.

Clotting disorders

Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use if you have a history of clotting disorders or have an active disorder.

Eye disorders

Tranexamic Acid is not recommended for use if you have a condition where the blood vessels of your eye are obstructed due to clot formation.

Other medicines

Tranexamic Acid is known to interact with a large number of other medicines that you are using. Report the use of all medications to your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Missed Dose

Oral form: Do not skip any dose of Tranexamic Acid. If you forget to take a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one. Injection form: Since Tranexamic Acid injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.

Overdose

Oral form: Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Tranexamic Acid, seek immediate medical guidance. Injection form: Since Tranexamic Acid injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Avoid consuming alcohol while using Tranexamic Acid as may increase the risk of drowsiness and dizziness.
Interaction with Medicine

Tamoxifen

Ethinyl Estradiol

Tretinoin

Factor IX complex

Disease interactions

Kidney diseases

Tranexamic Acid may increase the risk of kidney injury if you have kidney problems. Your doctor may suggest some tests to monitor your kidney function while you are on treatment with this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tranexamic Acid is used in treating bleeding disorders. Oral forms: Take Tranexamic Acid as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine can be taken with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not stop using this medicine without consulting your doctor. Store the medicine at room temperature away from sunlight and children. Do not break or crush tablet/Sustained released tablet/capsule of Tranexamic Acid. Avoid driving vehicles or drinking alcohol after receiving Tranexamic Acid as it may make you drowsy or sleepy Injection forms: Tranexamic Acid should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Do not self administer it. Report any undesirable effects to the doctor promptly. You may observe a small bump at the site of injection which is normal. Inform your doctor if you have kidney, eye or heart problems. Also, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Tranexamic Acid works by stopping the formation of enzyme plasmin, which promotes the breakdown of fibrin clots to control excessive bleeding during periods, or after surgery.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Boots Cyklo-F Heavy Period Relief 500 Mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 January 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/24170>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - TRANEXAMIC ACID Injection, Solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 January 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e8a45862-2187-49eb-892e-ade1b0cde938>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Tranexamic Acid. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 19 January 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5526#section=Top>

Drugs, H., 2021. Tranexamic Acid: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 19 January 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a612021.html>

How will this medicine affect me?

Consult top doctors online and get an answer now
Consult now
Consult now

Looking for a doctor?

Book an appointment with the top doctors near you
Book now
Book now
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 4 Oct 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.