Cyklokapron tablets contain the active ingredient tranexamic acid, which is a type of medicine called an antifibrinolytic. It can be used reduce severe unwanted bleeding, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding after bladder surgery or heavy nosebleeds. Tranexamic acid tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.
Blood clots are made of red blood cells and platelets bound together with a substance called fibrin. Once they have fulfilled their normal purpose of stopping bleeding, the body dissolves clots by producing another substance called plasmin. Plasmin breaks down the fibrin and allows the clots to break up.
Tranexamic acid stops the production of plasmin by blocking the action of the enzymes that produce it. This reduces the breakdown of fibrin and stops clots dissolving, which in turn helps to reduce bleeding.
In women who have heavy menstrual bleeding there are higher than normal levels of the enzymes that produce plasmin in the lining of the womb. This causes blood clots in the womb lining to dissolve and increases the volume of blood that is shed with each period. Tranexamic acid stops these blood clots dissolving and so reduces the volume of blood loss. It can reduce menstrual blood loss by up to 58 per cent.
Tranexamic acid is also used in other conditions where severe bleeding needs to be reduced.
Tranexamic acid is used to prevent or treat bleeding in the following situations:
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
This medicine will counteract the effect of fibrinolytic medicines used to disperse blood clots and will stop these from working. These medicines include the following:
Cyklo-f | Femstrual |
Tranexamic acid tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.