tranexamic acid injection

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum 

tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent which blocks the action of plasmin, a substance which is accountable for the breakdown of blood clots. It is used in both the treatment and prevention of bleeding which is because of various medical conditions or procedures like heavy menstrual bleeding in women as well as surgery, trauma and few types of cancers. The tranexamic acid injection can thus also help with the preventing of bleeding in haemophilia patients especially if they are undergoing a tooth extraction or other surgical procedure. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Visual abnormalities 

Nausea 

Diarrhea 

Hypotension 

Vomiting 

Anaphylaxis 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning 

Due to the higher risk of thrombosis including conditions of myocardial infraction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Injections of tranexamic acid that produce the black box warning which indicates using the minimal dose for the minimum period are possible. 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

Color vision disturbances  

Hypersensitivity 

Caution 

Renal impairment 

Hepatic impairment 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy/Lactation 

Pregnancy consideration: US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned 

Lactation: It is not known whether tranexamic acid is excreted in human milk 

Pregnancy category: 

• Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 
• Category B: There is no evidence of risk to the fetus found in animal reproduction studies and there are not enough studies on pregnant women. 
• Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for an effect in humans, care must be taken for potential risks in pregnant women. 
• Category D: There is adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite potential risks may be used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh risks over benefits These category drugs should be prohibited for pregnant women. 
• Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology 

tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent which functions by preventing the fibrinolysation of the clots. It moderates the activation of plasmin and thereby prevents the conversion of its major substrate plasminogen into plasmin that degrade fibrin clots. It can also occupy the lysine-binding sites on plasminogen and plasmin and consequently prevent them from binding to fibrin and thereby breaks the clots. 

Pharmacodynamics: 

An antifibrinolytic drug named tranexamic acid works by inhibiting the breakdown of blood clots. Fibrin Degradation products achieved that point by competitively averting plasmin activity and plasmin activation, both of which steps high in fibrinolysis. Consequently, bleeding is mitigated and the effectiveness of the clots are improved as well. Tranexamic acid is different from some medicines, which work through direct impact on other coagulation factors or aggregation of platelets. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

It is rapidly cleared from the plasma after intravenous administration with peaks of plasma concentrations between 5 and 15 minutes time. 

Distribution 

It is widely distributed throughout the body, with a volume of distribution of approximately 10 L. The drug crosses the placenta and is also excreted into breast milk 

Metabolism 

tranexamic acid is degraded secondarily by the liver and is mostly excreted unchanged via the urine. Unlike the parent drugs crystalloids and colloids, the drug may be partially metabolized to an N-acetylated derivative. 

Elimination and excretion 

Around 90% of a tranexamic acid dose excreted in urine, practically unchanged within the first 24 hours after administration. The drug is rapidly cleared from the system, with a half-life of around 3 hours in patients with normal kidney function. 

Adminstartion

Administration 

It is administered intravenously 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: tranexamic acid injection 

Pronounced: [ tran-ex-AM-ik-AS-id] 

Why do we use tranexamic acid injection? 

Tranexamic acid has the ability of reducing the excessive bleeding in women during the menstrual period. It may be suitable for teenage girls yet it is not advisable to use it before the first period.