tranexamic acid

This medication is used to treat heavy bleeding during your menstrual period. Tranexamic acid works by helping the blood clot to prevent and stop prolonged bleeding. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antifibrinolytics. Tranexamic acid is not a hormone. It does not treat other menstrual or pre-menstrual symptoms. It does not stop your period. It is not a form of birth control and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking tranexamic acid and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 tablets 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, bedtime). Wait until your period has started before taking your first dose. Do not take tranexamic acid for more than 5 days in a row. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not take more than 3 doses (6 tablets) in 24 hours. Stop taking tranexamic acid and see your doctor immediately if you have any eye problems or change in vision. The manufacturer directs not to break/chew the tablet before taking it. However, many similar drugs (immediate-release tablets) can be split/crushed. Follow your doctor's directions on how to take this medication. Tell your doctor if there is a change in your bleeding pattern or heavy bleeding persists or worsens.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: "blood thinners" (anticoagulants such as warfarin, heparin), drugs that prevent bleeding (including factor IX complex, anti-inhibitor coagulant concentrates, aminocaproic acid), tretinoin, drugs that can cause blood clots (such as estrogens, hormonal birth control pills/patch/ring). Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) that may increase your risk of bleeding. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney tests, eye examinations) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, vomiting.

Before taking tranexamic acid, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding in the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage), history of blood clots (such as in the legs, lung, brain, eye), certain heart diseases (irregular heartbeat, heart valve problems), a certain serious blood clotting problem (disseminated intravascular coagulation-DIC), kidney problems (including blood in the urine), irregular menstrual bleeding of unknown cause. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). This medication is usually used during your menstrual period. Therefore, it is unlikely to be used during pregnancy. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

See also How to use section. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Although unlikely, this medication may cause serious blood clot problems. Stop taking tranexamic acid and get medical help right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: coughing up blood, fainting, pain/swelling/warmth in the groin/calf, swelling/weakness/redness/pain in the arms/legs, confusion, signs of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden vision changes, confusion), change in the amount of urine, vision changes (such as color vision changes, decreased vision/blindness). A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.