Drug Reference

Tranexamic Acid

Amino acids

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Therapeutic class
Amino acids
Action class
Antifibrinolytic Agent
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

CyklokapronLysteda

Available as

500 MG · Oral Tablet100 ML · Injection10 ML · Injection50 MG/ML · Topical Cream650 MG · Oral Tablet

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tranexamic acid injection, USP is indicated in patients with hemophilia for short-term use (2 to 8 days) to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction. Tranexamic acid injection is an antifibrinolytic indicated in patients with hemophilia for short-term use (2 to 8 days) to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction. ( 1 )
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Tranexamic acid is a synthetic lysine amino acid derivative, which diminishes the dissolution of hemostatic fibrin by plasmin. In the presence of tranexamic acid, the lysine receptor binding sites of plasmin for fibrin are occupied, preventing binding to fibrin monomers, thus preserving and stabilizing fibrin's matrix structure. The antifibrinolytic effects of tranexamic acid are mediated by reversible interactions at multiple binding sites within plasminogen. Native human plasminogen contains 4 to 5 lysine binding sites with low affinity for tranexamic acid (Kd = 750 μmol/L) and 1 with high affinity (Kd = 1.1 μmol/L). The high affinity lysine site of plasminogen is involved in its binding to fibrin. Saturation of the high affinity binding site with tranexamic acid displaces plasminogen from the surface of fibrin. Although plasmin may be formed by conformational changes in plasminogen, binding to and dissolution of the fibrin matrix is inhibited.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Before Extraction: Administer 10 mg/kg actual body weight of tranexamic acid injection intravenously with replacement therapy. ( 2.1 ) After Extraction: Administer 10 mg/kg actual body weight 3 to 4 times daily for 2 to 8 days. Infuse no more than 1 mL/minute to avoid hypotension. ( 2.1 ) Reduce the dosage for patients with renal impairment. ( 2.2 , 8.6 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dose of tranexamic acid injection is 10 mg/kg actual body weight intravenously administered as a single-dose, immediately before tooth extractions. Infuse no more than 1 mL/minute to avoid hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Following tooth extraction, tranexamic acid injection may be administered for 2 to 8 days at a dose of 10 mg/kg actual body weight 3 to 4 times daily, intravenously. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. For intravenous infusion, tranexamic acid injection may be mixed with most solutions for infusion such as electrolyte solutions, carbohydrate solutions, amino acid solutions, and Dextran solutions. Heparin may be added to tranexamic acid injection. Tranexamic acid injection should NOT be mixed with blood. The drug is a synthetic amino acid and should NOT be mixed with solutions containing penicillin. Discard any unused portion. The diluted mixture may be stored for up to 4 hours at room temperature prior to patient administration. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Patients With Varying Degrees of Renal Impairment * For patients with moderate to severe impaired renal function, the following dosages are recommended: Table 1: Recommended Dosage in Patients With Varying Degrees of Renal Impairment * Dose reduction is recommended for all doses, both before and after tooth extraction. Serum Creatinine (mg/dL) Tranexamic Acid Intravenous Dosage 1.36 to 2.83 (120 to 250 micromol/L) 10 mg/kg twice daily 2.83 to 5.66 (250 to 500 micromol/L) 10 mg/kg daily >5.66 (>500 micromol/L) 10 mg/kg every 48 hours or 5 mg/kg every 24 hours
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Thromboembolic Risk [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Visual Disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Dizziness [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergic dermatitis, giddiness, hypotension, and thromboembolic events. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Avenacy Inc. at 1-855-283-6229 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of tranexamic acid. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) may occur and may resolve with dose-reduction. Allergic dermatitis and giddiness have been reported. Hypotension has been reported when intravenous injection is too rapid. Thromboembolic events (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral thrombosis, acute renal cortical necrosis, and central retinal artery, vein obstruction and cases associated with concomitant use of combination hormonal contraceptives) have been rarely reported in patients receiving tranexamic acid for indications other than hemorrhage prevention in patients with hemophilia. Convulsion, cromatopsia, and visual impairment have also been reported. Anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reactions have been reported that are suggestive of a causal relationship.

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published studies, case series and case reports with tranexamic acid use in pregnant women in the second and third trimester and at the time of delivery have not clarified whether there is a drug-associated risk of miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are 2 (0.02%) infant cases with structural abnormalities that resulted in death when tranexamic acid was used during conception or the first trimester of pregnancy; however, due to other confounding factors the risk of major birth defects with use of tranexamic acid during pregnancy is not clear. Tranexamic acid is known to pass the placenta and appears in cord blood at concentrations approximately equal to maternal concentration (see Data ) . Reproduction studies performed in mice, rats, and rabbits have not revealed any adverse effects on the fetus due to tranexamic acid administered during organogenesis. Doses examined were multiples of up to 3 times (mouse), 6 times (rat), and 3 times (rabbit) the maximum human dose based on body surface area in the mouse, rat, and rabbit, respectively (see Data ) . The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. It is not known whether tranexamic acid use in pregnant women may cause a drug-associated risk of miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. For decisions regarding the use of tranexamic acid injection during pregnancy, the potential risk of tranexamic acid injection administration on the fetus should always be considered along with the mother's clinical need for tranexamic acid injection; an accurate risk-benefit evaluation should drive the treating physician's decision. Data Human Data Tranexamic acid passes through the placenta. The concentration in cord blood after an intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg to pregnant women is about 30 mg/L, as high as in the maternal blood. There were 13 clinical studies that described fetal and/or neonatal functional issues such as low Apgar score, neonatal sepsis, cephalohematoma and 9 clinical studies that discussed alterations to growth including low birth weight and preterm birth at 22 to 36 weeks of gestation in fetuses an
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Published literature reports the presence of tranexamic acid in human milk.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…( 2.1 ) Reduce the dosage for patients with renal impairment.…
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Risk of Thrombosis with Concomitant Use of Factor IX: Avoid concomitant use. ( 5.1 ) Risk of Medication Errors Due to Incorrect Route of Administration: FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY. ( 5.2 ) Seizures: Inadvertent injection into neuraxial system may result in seizures. ( 5.3 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions: In case of severe reaction, discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention. ( 5.4 ) Visual Disturbances: Visual or ocular adverse effects may occur. Discontinue use if visual or ocular symptoms occur. ( 5.5 ) Dizziness: Advise patients not to drive if dizziness occurs. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Thromboembolic Risk Tranexamic acid injection is contraindicated in patients with active intravascular clotting. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic and may increase the risk of thromboembolic events. Venous and arterial thrombosis or thromboembolism has been reported in patients treated with tranexamic acid injection. Avoid concomitant use of tranexamic acid injection and medical products that are pro-thrombotic, as the risk of thrombosis may be increased. These medications include but are not limited to, Factor IX Complex concentrates, Anti-inhibitor Coagulant concentrates, and hormonal contraceptives [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3 )] . 5.2 Risk of Medication Errors Due to Incorrect Route of Administration Tranexamic acid injection is for intravenous use only. Serious adverse reactions including seizures and cardiac arrythmias have occurred when tranexamic acid injection was inadvertently administered intrathecally instead of intravenously. Confirm the correct route of administration for tranexamic acid injection and avoid confusion with other injectable solutions that might be administered at the same time as tranexamic acid injection. Syringes containing tranexamic acid injection should be clearly labeled with the intravenous route of administration. 5.3 Seizures Tranexamic acid injection may cause seizures, including focal and generalized seizures. The most common setting for tranexamic acid-induced seizures has been during cardiovascular surgery (a setting in which tranexamic acid is not FDA-approved and which uses doses of up to 10-fold higher than the recommended human dose and in patients inadvertently given tranexamic acid into the neuraxial system). Tranexamic acid injection is not approved and not recommended for neuraxial administration. Consider dose reduction during surgery and dose adjustments for patients with clinical conditions such as renal dysfunction. Closely monitor the patient during surgery. Consider electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring for patients with history of seizures or who experience myoclonic movements, twitching, or show evidence of focal seizures. Discontinue tranexamic acid injection if seizures occur. 5.4 Hypersensitivity Reactions Cases of hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, have occurred with use of intravenous tranexamic acid. Discontinue treatment with tranexamic acid injection if serious reaction occurs, provide appropriate medical management, and do not restart treatment. Tranexamic acid injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to tranexamic acid. 5.5 Visual Disturbances Although not seen in humans, focal areas of retinal degeneration have been observed in cats and dogs following oral or intravenous tranexamic acid at doses between 250 to 1,600 mg/kg/day (1.6 to 22 times the recommended usual human dose based on body surface area) from 6 days to 1 year. No retinal changes have been observed in eye examinations of patients treated with tranexamic acid for up to 8 years. Patients expected to be treated for greater than 3 months may consider ophthalmic monitoring including visual acuity and optical coherence tomography at regular intervals. Discontinue tranexamic acid injection if changes in ophthalmological examination occurs. 5.6 Dizziness Tranexamic acid injection may cause dizzine
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Tranexamic acid injection, USP is contraindicated: In patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Anecdotal experience indicates that cerebral edema and cerebral infarction may be caused by tranexamic acid injection in such patients. In patients with active intravascular clotting [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . In patients with hypersensitivity to tranexamic acid or any of the ingredients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . In patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, due to risk of cerebral edema and cerebral infarction. ( 4 ) In patients with active intravascular clotting. ( 4 ) In patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions to tranexamic acid or any of the ingredients. ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use There are limited data concerning the use of tranexamic acid injection in pediatric patients with hemophilia who are undergoing tooth extraction. The limited data suggest that there are no significant pharmacokinetic differences between adults and pediatric patients.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Prothrombotic Medical Products: Avoid concomitant use, can further increase the risk of thromboembolic adverse reactions associated with tranexamic acid. ( 5.1 , 7.1 , 8.3 ) 7.1 Prothrombotic Medical Products Avoid concomitant use of tranexamic acid injection with medical products that are prothrombotic because concomitant use can further increase the risk of thromboembolic adverse reactions associated with tranexamic acid [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3 )] .
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE Cases of overdosage of tranexamic acid injection have been reported. Based on these reports, symptoms of overdosage may be gastrointestinal, e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; hypotensive, e.g., orthostatic symptoms; thromboembolic, e.g., arterial, venous, embolic; neurologic, e.g., visual impairment, convulsions, headache, mental status changes; myoclonus; and rash.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

7 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.