tranexamic acid
Last reviewed 01/2018
Tranexamin acid is used in situations where excessive haemorrhage cannot be controlled e.g.:
- post-operatively e.g prostatectomy, bladder surgery
- menorrhagia associated with IUCD's
- haemophiliac dental extraction
- epistaxis
- reduce the effect of fibrinolytic drugs
- as a second-line agent in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
It competitively inhibits the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin.
Cautions / contra-indications:
- massive haematuria from upper renal tract as may cause ureteric thrombotic obstruction
- history of thromboembolic disease
- pregnancy
It interacts with the oral contraceptive pill to increase the risk of thrombosis.
hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Transurethral resection of prostate and laser prostatectomy
use of antifibrinolytics in abnormal uterine bleeding
tranexamic acid to minimise blood loss following hip replacement