What is "tranexamic acid"

n. (context organic compound medicine English) An alicyclic amino acid ''trans-4-(aminomethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid'' that is used to control heavy bleeding

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a medication used to treat or prevent excessive blood loss from trauma, surgery, and in various medical conditions including hemophilia and heavy menstrual bleeding. It comes in oral and intravenous forms.

Side effects are uncommon and include gastrointestinal effects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, and hypersensitivity reactions. The medication needs to be used cautiously in people with kidney disease and who are at a high risk for blood clots. Tranexamic is safe to use in pregnant women. However, caution should be used in lactating women. It is an antifibrinolytic.

It was discovered in 1962 by Utako Okamoto and has been on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.