What is tranexamic acid? What is tranexamic acid used for?
- Tranexamic acid promotes the clotting of blood and thereby reduces bleeding due to tooth extractions in people with hemophilia. People with hemophilia bleed easily because they lack a specific blood protein necessary for forming blood clots.
- 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. This helps reduce bleeding after a tooth extraction.
- The FDA approved tranexamic acid injection in December, 1986.
What brand names are available for tranexamic acid?
Is tranexamic acid available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for tranexamic acid?
Yes
What are the uses for tranexamic acid?
Tranexamic acid injection is used short-term (two to eight days) to
prevent bleeding following tooth extraction in people with hemophilia.
What are the side effects of tranexamic acid?
Common side effects of tranexamic acid injection include:
Other less common side effects side effects include:
- Allergic dermatitis
- Giddiness
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Possible serious side effects include:
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood
clot in the leg) - Pulmonary embolism
(blood clot in the lung) - Cerebral thrombosis
- Acute renal cortical necrosis
- Central retinal artery and vein obstruction
- Convulsions
- Visual impairment
What is the dosage for tranexamic acid?
- Prior to tooth extraction, tranexamic acid should be administered at
a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight of intravenously. - Thereafter, a dose of 10 mg
per kg body weight should be given three to four times daily for 2 to 8 days
after tooth extraction.
Which drugs or supplements interact with tranexamic acid?
- Concomitant use with tissue plasminogen activators (used to prevent or treat
blood clots) can reduce the effectiveness of tranexamic acid. - Concomitant use with factor IX complex concentrates or anti-inhibitor
coagulant concentrates that promote blood clots is not recommended due to the
increased risk of blood clots.
Is tranexamic acid safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Tranexamic acid injection has not been adequately evaluated in
pregnant
women. - Tranexamic acid is present in breast milk in trace amounts; therefore,
caution must be exercised when it is used in
nursing mothers.
What else should I know about tranexamic acid?
What preparations of tranexamic acid are available?
Single dose injection (vials or ampules): 100 mg/ml
How should I keep tranexamic acid stored?
Tranexamic acid injection should be stored at room temperature, 15 C
– 30 C (59 F – 86 F).