Tranexamic Acid is an anti-fibrinolytic drug developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration and initially approved on 13 Nov 2009 for treating bleeding.

Tranexamic Acid helps to reduce bleeding by preventing blood clots from breaking down too quickly. It is used to treat or prevent excessive bleeding in various medical conditions.

Tranexamic Acid can be administered only as an intravenous injection into a vein by your physician in a hospital setting. Do not try to administer the medicine if you are well-trained. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. 

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Tranexamic Acid are sickness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, giddiness, low bp, and visual disturbances. Some serious side effects include severe allergic reactions, swelling or pain in the legs or chest, headache, weakness on one side of the body, and blood clot formation.

Before using Tranexamic Acid, you must discuss with your doctor if you have a history of allergic reactions to it or any of its ingredients. Avoid the medication if you currently have or have had a disease leading to blood clots, kidney problems, and convulsions (fits). Do not use it if you have a condition known as "consumption coagulopathy," where blood throughout the body starts to clot excessively. Inform your doctor if you have had blood in your urine, as it may lead to urinary tract obstruction. If you suffer from excessive clotting or bleeding throughout your body (disseminated intravascular coagulation), this drug may not be suitable for you, except in cases of acute severe bleeding where blood tests indicate that the process inhibiting blood clotting called fibrinolysis is activated.

Notify your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting, or planning for the pregnancy. Tranexamic acid is known to be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, the use of this drug during breastfeeding is generally not recommended. For individuals who require long-term treatment with this drug, there is a possibility of experiencing disturbances in color vision and other eye-related issues. So, patients on continuous long-term treatment must have regular ophthalmologic examinations. These examinations may include tests for visual acuity, color vision, fundus examination, visual field testing, and other assessments to evaluate the health and function of the eyes. This drug is recommended for adults and children above one year of age.

While receiving the injection, your vital signs (such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) may be monitored to ensure your safety and response to the medication. If you have kidney problems, it's important to discuss this with your physician. Dosing adjustments may be necessary, as Tranexamic acid is primarily eliminated through the kidneys. 

1. Focus Pharmaceuticals Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Aug 2020] [Accessed on 14th Sept 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3374.pdf
2. Pfizer, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Nov 2017] [Accessed on 14th Sept 2023],  https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/019281s041lbl.pdf
3. James L. Zehnder, Drugs Used in Disorders of Coagulation, Lange’s Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 608-625.
4. KD Tripathi, Drugs Affecting Coagulation, Bleeding and Thrombosis, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 659-681.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.