What is tranexamic acid tablets used for

If you experience any changes to your vision while taking this medication, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may want you to have an eye examination before starting this medication, so changes to vision can be identified. Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk in very small amounts. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking tranexamic acid, it may affect your baby. Research has shown that it is probably safe for the baby to breast feed while you are taking this medication, however you may wish to talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication to treat heavy menstrual flow in adolescent girls have not been established. If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them.

Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter non-prescription , and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. However it's too early to know how well this works as a skin lightening treatment for hyperpigmentation. More research is needed before it can be recommended. Tranexamic acid does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.

There may be a very small increased risk of having a thrombosis a blood clot inside a vein if you also take tranexamic acid. If tranexamic acid makes you vomit or have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours this is more likely if you have tranexamic acid injections , your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking tranexamic acid will reduce fertility in either men or women. Page last reviewed: 17 January Next review due: 17 January Tranexamic acid On this page About Key facts Who can and cannot take tranexamic acid How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About Tranexamic acid sometimes shortened to txa is a medicine that controls bleeding. If you're having a tooth taken out, using tranexamic acid mouthwash can help stop bleeding. Tranexamic acid comes on prescription as: tablets liquid — for children and people who cannot swallow tablets mouthwash injections — usually only given in hospital Tranexamic acid tablets for heavy periods are also available to buy from pharmacies, for adults aged 18 and above.

You'll usually take tranexamic acid for a few days at a time. You can take the tablets with or without food. Most people do not have any side effects when taking tranexamic acid. If you also take the combined contraceptive pill "the pill" , there's an increased risk of DVT deep vein thrombosis with tranexamic acid.

Brand names include Cyklokapron, Cyklo-F and Menstralite. Tranexamic acid can be prescribed for adults and children of all ages. To make sure tranexamic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor before taking this medicine if you: have had an allergic reaction to tranexamic acid or any other medicine in the past have ever had a DVT deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism blocked blood vessel in your lungs have had a coagulopathy a rare condition where lots of small blood clots form in your blood followed by abnormal bleeding have epilepsy have kidney problems are pregnant or trying to get pregnant have irregular periods — this is so your doctor can check what is causing the irregular bleeding and recommend the best treatment for you.

If you are prescribed tranexamic acid tablets, you can take them with or without food. Dosage Tranexamic acid comes as mg tablets. Will my dose go up or down? What if I forget to take a dose? Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. What if I take too much? Taking 1 extra dose of tranexamic acid by accident is unlikely to harm you. Urgent advice: Call for advice if:. You've taken 2 extra doses of tranexamic acid or more and: you get problems with your eyesight one of your legs or arms is painful, swollen, red and warm to touch you suddenly get shortness of breath, or a sharp pain in your chest, and start coughing or coughing up blood.

Like all medicines, tranexamic acid can cause side effects although not everyone gets them. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking tranexamic acid, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tranexamic acid, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in tranexamic acid tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take tranexamic acid if you are taking this medication.

Tell your doctor you are taking tranexamic acid if you will be receiving medications to treat blood clots, including tissue plasminogen activators such as alteplase Activase and reteplase Retavase. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take tranexamic acid.

Also tell your doctor if the time between the start of your menstrual periods is less than 21 days or more than 35 days. If you become pregnant while taking tranexamic acid, call your doctor. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. Tranexamic acid may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache tiredness sinus pain back pain stomach pain bone, joint, or muscle pain Some side effects can be serious.

Increased risk of thrombosis with the drug has not been demonstrated in clinical trials. Conclusions: Tranexamic acid is useful in a wide range of haemorrhagic conditions. The drug reduces postoperative blood losses and transfusion requirements in a number of types of surgery, with potential cost and tolerability advantages over aprotinin, and appears to reduce rates of mortality and urgent surgery in patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.