Tranexamic Acid

1 medicine

Tranexamic acid stops the body from breaking down blood clots, so it carries a risk of dangerous clotting and should not be used by people with an active clotting disorder.

Cyklokapron

Tranexamic acid

500mg

Cyklokapron is a womens health medication containing Tranexamic acid, available as 500mg tablets.

from $2.85 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic medicine, sold among other brands as Cyklokapron, that stabilizes blood clots so they do not dissolve too early, reducing bleeding.
  • It is taken as tablets or given by injection, often started when bleeding is heavy or before a procedure with a high bleeding risk.
  • Because it stops clots from breaking down, tranexamic acid raises the risk of blood clots forming in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism). Do not use it if you have an active clotting disorder or a history of thrombosis, unless a specialist has confirmed it is safe.
  • Seek urgent care for sudden leg swelling or pain, chest pain, breathlessness, or coughing up blood.

What tranexamic acid treats

Tranexamic acid treats heavy menstrual bleeding, reduces bleeding during and after surgery or dental extractions, and controls bleeding after injury. It is also used for hereditary angioedema, a genetic condition causing episodes of tissue swelling, and for recurrent nosebleeds. It does not treat the underlying cause of bleeding, only the bleeding itself.

How tranexamic acid works

Normally, an enzyme system breaks down blood clots once bleeding is controlled. Tranexamic acid blocks plasminogen from being activated into plasmin, the enzyme responsible for dissolving clots. With that breakdown slowed, clots that have formed stay intact longer, giving the body time to heal the bleeding site.

Before you take it

  • Do not take tranexamic acid if you have an active blood clot, a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or a condition that makes clotting more likely, unless a specialist directs otherwise.
  • Tell your prescriber if you take combined hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen, since combining them with tranexamic acid can further raise clotting risk.
  • Tell your prescriber about kidney disease, since the dose needs adjusting, and about a history of seizures, since high doses have been linked to seizure risk.
  • Tell your prescriber about any color vision changes if you are on long-term treatment, as this needs assessment.

Side effects

Common effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Sudden swelling, pain, warmth, or redness in a leg, which can signal a blood clot.
  • Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood, which can signal a clot in the lungs.
  • Sudden vision changes.
  • Signs of a severe allergic reaction: facial swelling, rash, or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

  • Tranexamic acid raises the risk of blood clots because it keeps clots from breaking down; anyone with an active clotting disorder or a strong personal history of thrombosis should avoid it unless a specialist has weighed the risk.
  • Get urgent medical attention for any signs of a leg clot or a clot in the lungs while taking this medicine.
  • If you take combined hormonal contraception, tell your prescriber, since the clotting risk from both together is higher than from either alone.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.