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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Tranexamic acid over the counter?

64 replies

Giruse · 05/02/2021 22:58

I am currently in the throes of the period from hell...week 2 or 3 of heavy bleeding, wearing night time pad plus tampon, sitting on towels, dashing to loo every couple of hours, you get the idea. All pretty awful to deal with.

The only thing that helps (apart from losing weight, when I am at normal BMI I don't get the same problems, certainly not to the current extent) is tranexamic acid. My GP won't prescribe it willingly (last time a couple of years ago I basically had to cry and plead for it), so for the last few years I've been buying it over the counter. I don't take it constantly - my periods seem to reset themselves for a few months, or if I've dropped some weight that helps. But it's good to have as backup, or for like now when i am at the end of my tether!

The problem is I can't find anywhere that still sells it. I've tried Boots, local pharmacy...all say they no longer stock it. Has anyone bought it it recently? Or knows where I might be able to get some?.

OP posts:

2pinkginsplease · 05/02/2021 23:02

I never knew you could buy it over the counter. Change your doctors why would a doctor not prescribe a medication that helps? Madness. Dd and I both use them.

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 05/02/2021 23:08

Why the hell wont your go prescribe it?

No idea if you can get otc, but if you can’t, I’d take the max dose of ibuprofen you can - check online (as it’s same family as mefanaic acid which I’m on) and is probably the closest otc thing that will help. Obviously only if you’re allowed ibuprofen.

Original poster

Giruse · 05/02/2021 23:18

I'm taking ibuprofen already but it's not making much difference tbh.

The GP prescribed tranexamic acid once, then after that when I asked for it they wanted me to come in and discuss my options, tried to persuade me I should have a coil fitted despite the fact I'd have to wait weeks for that and be bleeding constantly. So I started buying it OTC.

I know it will be impossible now because they aren't seeing patients except as emergency, they won't class this as emergency, and they won't prescribe without seeing me. And I can't change surgeries as other GPs round here aren't taking new patients due to Covid.

OP posts:

Squeejit · 05/02/2021 23:24

Boring MN question but are you in the uk(

Those periods sound awful.. would you consider Mirena coil, implant etc?

Totally understand why you want help but can your doctor do more for you? It’s a ful you are relying on OTC things that are r right

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 05/02/2021 23:25

I’ve had doctors give me the coil spiel but I point blank refuse to have one.

Call the gp on Monday and insist. It’s in your notes already that you have heavy periods so they can do a prescription without seeing you. Really really insist - explain in detail just how badly this is affecting your life.

Have you ever had any investigations done? It honestly sounds like you need to have a scan etc to see why your periods are so heavy. It took me 16 years of period hell before I finally got a doctor to refer me and I got a diagnosis of adenomyosis. Far too many women are fobbed off - and you are loosing a hell of a lot of blood by the sounds of it.

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 05/02/2021 23:27

Just to go back a step - week 3 of period? Is that normal for you? If not you honestly might Need to be seen in A&E

Embarrasedaf · 05/02/2021 23:28

I was going to suggest buying it over the counter from an online pharmacy…however they’re all out of stock. I guess you can’t buy it without a prescription now?

It’s bizarre that your GP won’t prescribe it again. I had heavy bleeding when I first went on the depo and they gave me a massive box of tablets even thought it was just a temporary issue and they only wanted me to take it for a few days. They even issued subsequent prescriptions without my asking (that I didn’t collect). It doesn’t seem like a major medication which needs to be controlled to the extent your surgery are.

GPs dare absolutely still issuing prescriptions without seeing patients in person. If yours aren’t, I highly recommend finding a new surgery.

Original poster

Giruse · 05/02/2021 23:29

Yes in the UK.

I don't want the coil. I have tried the depo injection which was no better than this really. I wasn't bleeding as much but I was bleeding constantly, this will stop eventually but on the injection it didn't at all.

My GP only prescribed the amount I could buy OTC and wouldn't offer a repeat prescription or anything, so I wasn't really any worse off buying it myself and it saved me having to beg for it.

OP posts:

Embarrasedaf · 05/02/2021 23:31

I’m not a medical professional of course - I can’t say whether you should go to A&E or not, but I would definitely recommend calling 111. They can arrange (if necessary) an appointment at an out of hours GP who could issue the prescription.

Embarrasedaf · 05/02/2021 23:33

Actually reading your post again, I would push for a gynae referral. The amount of blood you’re losing surely can’t be normal

Original poster

Giruse · 05/02/2021 23:34

When I'm overweight as I am now, and without taking tranexamic acid, periods can last 3-4 weeks. I think one once went on for about 6-7 (that was what drove me to the GP in the first place, and a locum prescribed tranexamic acid, it was wonderful).

I've never been offered a repeat prescription, last time it was like pulling teeth to get 30 tablets.

OP posts:

Threeleaper · 05/02/2021 23:36

I’m surprised you’re having problems having it prescribed — I’ve had three different GPS in two countries prescribe it long term with no issues. The only time I’d run out and tried to buy it over the counter I couldn’t.

Sympathies, OP. Permableeding is miserable. I’ve just had a mirena coil fitted, to see if that helps.

Embarrasedaf · 05/02/2021 23:47

Just checked, I have a box of tranexamic acid 500mg tablets with 70 tablets inside. They only wanted me to take 2-6 tablets per day, for 5 days. That amounts to 30 tablets max yet they gave me much more. In comparison it’s weird how strict your GP is.

Lovethewater · 06/02/2021 00:34

Tranexamic acid tablets are currently on the drug shortage list so I doubt you will be able to get any over the counter. The symptoms you have described definitely warrant an urgent telephone consultation at least.

CommanderBurnham · 06/02/2021 01:16

I'm happy on tranexaminc acid, agreed with my GP but it was only after I had been for an ultrasound to rule out common causes for heavy periods eg fibroids.

Definitely go back to your GP and get further investigations, and ask for another GP and see what they say.

cinammonbuns · 06/02/2021 01:45

Kind of confused, never heard of a GP being reluctant to give tranexamic acid, it’s not like it builds dependence or anything and it’s not an opiate. Maybe as PP said it’s because of a drug shortage. Ask to see a different GP at your surgery.

I’m happy tranexamic acid works for you, I used it for a while and it just caused more clots.

JoyIsCounterfeit · 06/02/2021 02:16

Please go back & fight for gynae referral. My poor daughter has had multi-week periods, pain from hell, and reluctance to re-prescribe transxemic acid tho it helped. She took control in a devastating direction, having read weight loss would stop her heavy periods, and it did, but now she has an eating disorder. And endo.
Please demand help.
Sympathy, OP.

kittycorner · 06/02/2021 05:49

On the same med @Giruse and never had a problem getting it prescribed. It means quality of life. It isn't being demanding and I'd change GP's or ask for a referral to a consultant gyne. Not normal at all and not okay you have to go through that.

CornishPastyDownUnder · 06/02/2021 06:05

Wow op that sound horrendous-you really shouldnt be putting up with that. Hope you've had a barrage of tests( including iron levels)to confirm everything is ok?
We use a ponstan/Tranexamic acid combo as recommended by my GP (-she's this totally amazing Nepalese lady) who uses this herself. She suggested the pill for my teen DC who had hideous periods and this also worked great.

Original poster

Giruse · 06/02/2021 10:14

I've seen different GPs in the same practice, this seems to be their stance. It's not a recent thing either. I know on one occasion I was told I couldn't be given it unless I went and had scans etc but the wait list was weeks (probably longer now) so I bought it OTC.

This probably sounds terrible but I'm not bothered about the gynae referral, or further investigations, I'm late 40s and so with luck the menopause is not far off (my mum went through hers at this age). I'd just like to have the tranexamic acid as a back up, then hopefully once I lose some weight things will improve naturally.

Its frustrating not being able to get it OTC. I know my GP won't give it without an appt (which they're not doing now anyway) or without tests (which either won't be happening or I will have to wait months for still bleeding like this) . And I can't move GP because no one is taking new patients due to Covid.

None of which would be a problem if I could just buy it myself.

OP posts:

BaggoMcoys · 06/02/2021 10:20

Can you change gp surgery op? I can't believe they won't prescribe you it, that's dreadful. I wouldn't want the coil either. I'm feeling angry on your behalf tbh!

Sorry I can't help with regards to otc as I wasn't aware it was available to buy that way. My gp used to prescribe mefenamic acid and transexamic acid for my periods and I never had any issue getting it presrcribed. Have you tried any online pharmacies? I've used a few of them to buy other medications and never had any problems. There's a lot of legimate ones - I think you can check with the NHS website to see which, and they usually have a badge thing showing they're on the pharmaceutical register.

Chemistdirect.co.uk is the only one I can think of off the top of my head, but there are loads.

BaggoMcoys · 06/02/2021 10:23

I've just done a search for it on a few online pharmacies and it's out of stock everywhere! I wonder if there's something up. Maybe supply issues with it or something. Sorry op, but I hope you manage to get some.

BaggoMcoys · 06/02/2021 10:27

It looks like you would be able to get mefenamic acid though op. From what I remember, that was for pain more than reducing blood, but it did reduce the blood loss too I think.

Sorry for triple posting btw. I had terrible periods when I was younger. The pain and flow decreased a lot after I had my dd but I've recently started having new issues (spotting and a period every 2 weeks) so this is a subject close to my heart!

Grossedout12 · 06/02/2021 10:32

Call NHS 111. They may be able to make an appt to see a doctor in a clinic attached to your local hospital. Failing that can you arrange to see a GP privately?

Princessdebthe1st · 06/02/2021 10:36

OP, you can change GPs and your GP should be doing face to face appointment where necessary. I would contact your local clinical commissioning group (CCG) and raise a complaint about the service at your GP.
As an alternative OP, have you tried mefanamic acid? It has a similar action and is also available OTC.

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