Tranexamic Acid 500mg Tablets

What is Tranexamic Acid?

Tranexamic acid is used to treat heavy periods (menorrhagia), usually for around 4 days at the start of the menstrual cycle. Tranexamic Acid is an anti-fibrinolytic drug. These are used to stop or reduce bleeding.  

How does Tranexamic Acid work?

Tranexamic Acid works by stopping clots from dissolving which causes excessive bleeding. Clots are formed when you begin to bleed, which makes Tranexamic Acid a very effective treatment for preventing these clots from breaking down. 

How long does Tranexamic Acid take to work?

Tranexamic Acid usually takes around 24 hours to work fully and should be taken 3 times a day for a short period, of around 4 days. 

You can find out more about Tranexamic Acid on the NHS website here.

What are the brand names of Tranexamic Acid?

Tranexamic acid is the generic name of the medicine, and it’s sold under several different brand names depending on the manufacturer and country. In the UK, common brand names include Cyklokapron and Evana Heavy Period Relief, available over the counter, which you might see in pharmacies in the UK. There are also many versions labelled simply as tranexamic acid 500mg tablets produced by different companies. 

What should I do if I miss a dose of Tranexamic Acid?

If you miss a dose of tranexamic acid, take it as soon as you remember. If you remember and the time is close to the usual time for your next dose, skip the dose you’ve missed and take the one for this time.

Under no circumstances should you double-up doses. If you struggle to remember to take your tranexamic acid or other medication, try setting an alarm on your phone, using a reminder or habit app or speaking to your pharmacist for more ways to keep on track of your meds.

FAQs

What is Tranexamic Acid 500mg and what is it used for?

Tranexamic Acid 500mg tablets are a treatment specifically used to manage and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). It is not a hormone or a painkiller. It focuses on making your period flow lighter and more manageable.

How does tranexamic acid reduce heavy menstrual bleeding?

It works by helping the blood in your womb to clot more effectively. During a period, the body naturally breaks down clots to allow the lining to shed. Tranexamic acid slows this breakdown process, which in turn reduces the total amount of blood lost. If you don’t usually experience heavy menstrual bleeding, please speak to your GP before requesting tranexamic acid to rule out causes that may require other action.

How quickly does tranexamic acid work for heavy periods?

Most women notice a significant reduction in their flow within the first 24 hours of taking the medication. It is designed to be taken at the very start of your period (once heavy bleeding has begun) to be most effective.

How should you take tranexamic acid tablets (dose and timing)?

The standard dose is usually two tablets taken three times a day for up to four days during your period. However, you should always follow the specific dosage guidance provided by your prescriber or the instructions on the pharmacy label.

How much can tranexamic acid reduce heavy bleeding?

While every woman’s cycle is different, tranexamic acid is clinically proven to significantly reduce blood loss. It helps make heavy periods much lighter and less disruptive to your daily life, though it will not stop your period entirely.

Can you buy tranexamic acid online in the UK?

Yes, you can safely purchase tranexamic acid from Simply Meds Online. There are two versions available. One is a prescription-only medication, where you will need to complete a short online consultation with our pharmacist. The other is an over-the-counter, smaller pack size of tablets which also requires a very brief questionnaire. This ensures the treatment is appropriate for you before our pharmacists dispense and ship it to your door.

Who should not take tranexamic acid tablets?

Tranexamic acid is not suitable for everyone. You should generally avoid it if you have a history of blood clots (thrombosis), severe kidney problems, or a history of convulsions. Our pharmacist will review your history during the consultation to ensure it is safe for you to use.

Is tranexamic acid the same as Evana Heavy Period Relief?

Yes, they are essentially the same. Tranexamic acid is the active ingredient in both. Evana is simply a branded version available over the counter, whereas Tranexamic Acid 500mg is the generic version. Both work in the same way to reduce blood loss, though your suitability for the treatment should always be checked by a healthcare professional first.

Ingredients

Each tablet contains 500mg. The tablet core also contains microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, talc and magnesium stearate. The tablets are coated with a film coating of methacrylate polymers, titanium dioxide (E171), talc, magnesium stearate and macrogol 8000.

The recommended dosage for Menorrhagia (heavy periods) is:

2 tablets 3 times daily as long as needed for up to 4 days when menstruation has started.

You can download the patient information leaflet for Tranexamic acid here. 

Do not take Tranexamic acid Tillomed tablets if:

• You are allergic to tranexamic acid or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• You have serious problems with your kidneys (kidney failure)
• You have or have ever had a blood clot in your blood vessels (called a `thrombosis’)
• You have a history of convulsions
• You are at risk of excessive bleeding as a result of a bleeding disorder called consumption coagulopathy

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tranexamic acid Tillomed tablets if:

• You have blood in your urine. This may increase the risk of blockage of the urinary tract.
• You have ever had any uncontrollable bleeding
• You take oral contraceptives. These may increase the risk of blood clots forming
• You have disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a disease where your blood starts to clot throughout your body
• You have been taking medicine to treat a hereditary disease called angioneurotic oedema (HANO) every day for a long time. If so, you may need to have regular eye tests and blood tests to check your liver is working properly
• You are a woman with irregular periods
• You or your family have a history of blood clots in your blood vessels (called a `thrombosis’)
• Anyone in your family has suffered from blood clots in their blood vessels
• You have kidney disease.

Stop taking Tranexamic acid tablets and tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

– itchy, red or swollen skin

- problems with your eyesight, especially your colour vision

– a blood clot in your eye. This may cause bleeding in the eye, or a loss of vision.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

– a blood clot in your blood vessels (called a `thrombosis’)

– feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea.

These are usually mild and pass very quickly, but if they continue, tell your doctor or pharmacist

– diarrhoea. This is usually mild and passes very quickly, but if it continues, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

– Seizures, particularly in cases of misuse.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the above description and patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for “MHRA yellowcard” in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.