Bleeding disorders

Question 1

Antifibrinolytic drugs

Answer 1

Tranexamic acid inhibits Fibrinolysis and can be used to prevent bleeding associated with excessive fibrinolysis (e.g. surgery, dental extraction) and in the management of menorrhagia.

Question 2

Tranexamic acid may also be used in

Answer 2

hereditary angioedema, epistaxis, and in thrombolytic overdose.

Question 3

Desmopressin

Answer 3

used in the management of mild to moderate haemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease. It is also used for fibrinolytic response testing.

Question 4

Etamsylate

Answer 4

Reduces capillary bleeding in the presence of a normal number of platelets; it does not act by fibrin stabilisation, but probably by correcting abnormal adhesion. Etamsylate is less effective than other treatments in the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and its use is no longer recommended.