Tranexamic Acid Flashcards
Tranexamic Acid Mechanism of action
• Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic medicine. It blocks the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, reducing fibrinolysis (breakdown of blood clots) and
bleeding.
Tranexamic Acid Indications
Postpartum haemorrhage.
Hypovolaemia from uncontrolled bleeding.
Any other form of bleeding severe enough to cause hypovolaemia requiring
0.9% sodium chloride to be administered IV.
Tranexamic Acid Contraindications
Known severe allergy.
Trauma when tranexamic acid will be administered more than three hours after the time of injury. This appears to increase mortality rates, the cause of
which is not clear.
(New) GI bleed - increased mortality
Tranexamic Acid Cautions
None
Tranexamic Acid Use in pregnancy
• Safety has not been demonstrated, but the balance of risk is such that it should
be administered if indicated.
Tranexamic Acid Dosage
- 1 g IV for an adult.
* See the paediatric drug dose tables for a child.
Tranexamic Acid Administration
IV over 1-2 minutes
Tranexamic Acid Common adverse effects
None
Tranexamic Acid Onset of effect
30-60 minutes
Tranexamic Acid Duration of effect
8 hours
Tranexamic Acid Usual preparation
1g/10ml ampoule
Tranexamic Acid Pharmacokinetics
- Tranexamic acid is predominantly excreted in the urine.
* Renal impairment does not alter the initial (loading) dose.
Tranexamic Acid Common interactions
None
Tranexamic Acid Topical administration
• Some references describe the topical administration of tranexamic acid for control of superficial bleeding. This usually has no role in the out-of-hospital
setting and personnel should seek clinical advice if it is being considered.
Tranexamic Acid PATCH Study
• If the patient has trauma and can be randomised into the PATCH study, this must occur instead of administering ‘open label’ (non-PATCH study ampoules) tranexamic acid.
- Call for enrolment pack
