Tranexamic Acid

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tranexamic acid (Lysteda) promotes the clotting of blood and thereby reduces bleeding due to heavy menstruation.

Tranexamic acid is a man-made amino acid derivative that increases blood clotting by preventing the breakdown of fibrin. Fibrin is a protein and an important component of blood clots. It is broken down by another protein called plasmin. Tranexamic acid blocks the action of plasmin on fibrin and thereby prevents the breakdown of fibrin.This leads to stabilization and preservation of fibrin in blood clots, and this helps reduce bleeding during a heavy menstrual cycle.

The FDA approved tranexamic acid in November 2009.

Side effects of this drug include:

• Abdominal and back pain
• Anemia
• Joint pain
• Muscle cramps and spasms
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Headache
• Migraine
• Nasal and sinus problems
• Fatigue

Tranexamic acid may increase the risk of forming blood clots.

Yes, it's available in generic form.

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Tranexamic acid is a man-made form of an amino acid (protein) called lysine. Tranexamic acid prevents enzymes in the body from breaking down blood clots.

Cyklokapron is used to prevent bleeding in people with hemophilia who need to have a tooth pulled. This medication is usually given just before the dental procedure, and daily for up to 8 days afterward.

Tranexamic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Tranexamic acid is a prescription medicine used to treat adult women with heavy monthly periods (menstruation) when bleeding gets in the way of social, leisure and physical activities. 

Tranexamic acid injection is also used to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction in patients with hemophilia as short-term use (two to eight days).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This medication may impair your vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

• Cyklokapron
• Lysteda

Forms a reversible complex that displaces plasminogen from fibrin resulting in inhibition of fibrinolysis; it also inhibits the proteolytic activity of plasmin

With reduction in plasmin activity, tranexamic acid also reduces activation of complement and consumption of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), thereby decreasing inflammation associated with hereditary angioedema.

Distribution

Vd: 9 to 12 L; CSF levels are 10% of plasma

Excretion

Urine (>95% as unchanged drug)

Time to Peak

Oral: 2.5 hours (range: 1 to 5 hours)

Half-Life Elimination

~2 to 11 hours

Protein Binding

~3%, primarily to plasminogen

Anti-inhibitor Coagulant Complex (Human): Antifibrinolytic Agents may enhance the thrombogenic effect of Anti-inhibitor Coagulant Complex (Human). Avoid combination

Contraceptives (Estrogens): May enhance the thrombogenic effect of Tranexamic Acid. Avoid combination

Contraceptives (Progestins): May enhance the thrombogenic effect of Tranexamic Acid. Avoid combination

Fibrinogen Concentrate (Human): Antifibrinolytic Agents may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Fibrinogen Concentrate (Human). Specifically, the risk for thrombosis may be increased. Fibrinogen Concentrate (Human) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antifibrinolytic Agents. Specifically, the risk for thrombosis may be increased. Monitor therapy

Tretinoin (Systemic): May enhance the thrombogenic effect of Antifibrinolytic Agents. Monitor therapy

Injection: Frequency not defined.

Cardiovascular: Hypotension (with rapid IV injection)

Central nervous system: Dizziness

Dermatologic: Allergic dermatitis

Endocrine & metabolic: Menstrual disease (unusual menstrual discomfort)

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

Ophthalmic: Blurred vision

Oral:

>10%:

Central nervous system: Headache (50%)

Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain (20%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Back pain (21%), myalgia (11%)

Respiratory: Nasal signs and symptoms (25%; including sinus symptoms)

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Fatigue (5%)

Hematologic & oncologic: Anemia (6%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia (7%), muscle cramps (≤7%), muscle spasm (≤7%)

All formulations: <1% (Limited to important or life-threatening): Allergic skin reaction, anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reaction, cerebral thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, pulmonary embolism, renal cortical necrosis, retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, seizure, ureteral obstruction, visual disturbances (including impaired color vision and vision loss), vomiting

Tranexamic acid has had limited use in pediatric patients, principally in connection with tooth extraction. The limited data suggest that dosing instructions for adults can be used for pediatric patients needing therapy.

For patients with hemophilia for short-term use (two to eight days) to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction:
Immediately before dental extraction: 10 mg per kg body weight intravenously
Following surgery: 10 mg per kg body weight intravenously three to four times daily, may be used for 2 to 8 days.

Surgery for congenital heart disease (to reduce perioperative blood loss and need for transfusions):
(not FDA approved, limited data available, dose not established, variable dosing regimens reported)
2 months to 15 years:
loading dose: 100 mg/kg intravenously, followed by 10 mg/kg/hour infusion (continued until ICU transport) and 100 mg/kg priming dose when bypass initiated;
or
loading dose: 10 mg/kg intravenously, priming dose: 10 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg after protamine.

Surgery for scoliosis (to reduce perioperative blood loss and need for transfusions):
(not FDA approved, limited data available, dose not established, variable dosing regimens reported)
8 to 18 years:
loading dose: 100 mg/kg intravenously, followed by infusion: 10 mg/kg/hour until skin closure
or
loading dose: 20 mg/kg intravenously, followed by 10 mg/kg/hour infusion
or
loading dose: 10 mg/kg intravenously and 1 mg/kg/hour infusion.

For the treatment of cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding (ages 12 to less than 18):
1,300 mg (two 650 mg tablets) orally three times a day (3,900 mg/day) for a maximum of 5 days during monthly menstruation.