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Overview: Tranexamic acid is available as a tablet and is taken during your period to reduce heavy bleeding. The most common side effects are headache and sinus or nasal symptoms. Stop taking this medicine and get help right away if you have any changes to your vision, trouble breathing, chest pain, or weakness on one side of your body.

Uses

What is tranexamic acid used for?

Tranexamic acid is used to reduce bleeding in women with heavy bleeding during their periods. 

Tranexamic acid may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does tranexamic acid work (mechanism of action)?

Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding by stopping the breakdown of blood clots.

How is tranexamic acid supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Lysteda

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 650 mg oral tablets

How should I store tranexamic acid?

Tranexamic acid tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of tranexamic acid?

The most common side effects of tranexamic acid are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache or migraine
  • Sinus and nasal symptoms
  • Back pain
  • Stomach pain
  • Muscle pain or cramping
  • Joint pain
  • Low red blood cell levels (anemia)
  • Tiredness

There may be other side effects of tranexamic acid that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of tranexamic acid?

While less common, the most serious side effects of tranexamic acid are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tranexamic acid may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking tranexamic acid and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Clots. Tranexamic acid may cause blood clots in your arteries or veins and could cause a stroke, heart attack, or venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), eyes (retinal vein occlusion), or deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Stop taking tranexamic acid and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood clots. 

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Blurry vision or missing vision in part or all of the eye
  • Floaters
  • Eye pain or pressure

Eye Problem. Tranexamic acid may cause a type of eye inflammation called ligneous conjunctivitis. Stop taking tranexamic acid and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Eye redness, itchiness, or pain
  • Swollen or itchy eyelids
  • Feeling like you have something in your eye
  • Eye dryness, watering, or discharge
  • Vision changes, such as blurry vision or sensitivity to light

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take tranexamic acid?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take tranexamic acid.

  • Tranexamic acid
  • Cyklokapron
  • Lysteda
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tranexamic acid products they stock.

Birth Control. Do not take tranexamic acid if you are using birth control that contains both estrogen and a progestin (combined hormonal contraceptive). See the Interactions section for more details. 

Blood Clots. Do not take tranexamic acid if you have or had a blood clot or have a condition that increases your chance of a blood clot like cancer, factor V Leiden, or atrial fibrillation. Examples of blood clots are deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral thrombosis, and retinal vein occlusion.

What should I know about tranexamic acid before using it?

Do not take tranexamic acid unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share tranexamic acid with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep tranexamic acid out of the reach of children.

Do not chew or break tranexamic acid tablets. Swallow the whole tablet. 

Tranexamic acid will not stop your period, but it will likely decrease the amount of bleeding by about one-third. Talk with your health care provider if taking tranexamic acid during your period does not seem to be helping after two cycles or if it stops working.

Tranexamic acid does not affect your fertility, is not a form of birth control, and does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted infections. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns.

What should I tell my health care provider before using tranexamic acid?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if tranexamic acid is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Bleeding in the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
  • Stroke
  • A blood clot, have a history of a blood clot, or are at high risk of getting a blood clot
  • Heart problems, including a previous heart attack or atrial fibrillation
  • Kidney problems
  • Cancer
  • Time in between the start of your periods is shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days

Other Medicines and Supplements. Tranexamic acid may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking tranexamic acid, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Tranexamic acid is taken while you are having your period. Because of this, it is not likely to be taken during pregnancy. It is not known if or how tranexamic acid could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Tranexamic acid passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take tranexamic acid while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does tranexamic acid interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between tranexamic acid and foods or drinks. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tranexamic acid. The risk of tiredness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking tranexamic acid.

Does tranexamic acid interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking tranexamic acid.

  • A birth control pill, patch, or vaginal ring that contains estrogen and a progestin
  • Factor IX complex (Profilnine) or anti-inhibitor coagulant complex (Feiba, Kcentra, and others), which is a medicine used to decrease bleeding and help form blood clots
  • Tretinoin capsules, which are taken by mouth to treat a type of cancer called acute promyelocytic leukemia

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with tranexamic acid. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much tranexamic acid?

If you or someone else has taken too much tranexamic acid, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of tranexamic acid?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at least six hours later. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for the missed dose.