Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is used to treat or prevent excessive blood loss from trauma, surgery, and in various medical conditions including hemophilia and heavy menstrual bleeding. It comes in oral and intravenous forms.

Side effects are uncommon and include gastrointestinal effects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, and hypersensitivity reactions. This medication needs to be used cautiously in people with kidney disease and who are at a high risk for blood clots. Tranexamic is safe to use in pregnant women. However, caution should be used in lactating women.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.

Medical uses

Tranexamic acid is frequently used following major trauma. Tranexamic acid is used to prevent and treat blood loss in a variety of situations, such as dental procedures for hemophiliacs, heavy menstrual bleeding, and surgeries with high risk of blood loss.

Trauma

Tranexamic acid has been found to decrease the risk of death in people who have significant bleeding due to trauma. However, its benefit only appears to be within the first three hours.