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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:
ArosAdraDrosDolig · 06/02/2021 10:36

Try push doctor online?

Original poster
Giruse · 06/02/2021 10:38

The last time I got some from my GP about 2 years ago (after basically begging) was only after I couldn't buy it online, so I don't think it's necessarily a new thing that it's not available, it's been this way for a while. It's just frustrating though.

I've never taken mefanamic acid so don't know if that would work for me. My periods pre kiss were nothing like this, they were regular as clockwork, not that heavy, the worst part was they were hugely painful and I'd be sick with the pain every month unless I kept myself dosed up with pain relief.

At least this isn't as painful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Giruse · 06/02/2021 10:39

That should be pre kids, not kiss!

OP posts:
HolaChicos · 06/02/2021 10:59

Dd 15 has had tranexamic on prescription for years, it was never a problem. Definitely change gps or call 111 for an appointment for today.

LibrariesGiveUsPower45321 · 06/02/2021 11:00

OP please just phone your GP surgery on Monday and explain the situation.

You need a referral, and if they’ll only let you have the tablets with a referral what’s the problem in that? You need to stand up for yourself here.

jazzandh · 06/02/2021 11:06

what about an online Doctor?

itsgettingweird · 06/02/2021 11:11

Write to the practice manager.

Highlight you have bodily autonomy they must respect and that gives you the right to refuse further injections or the coil.

Ask them why they won't prescribe a medication used to treat heavy periods?

I've had problematic periods for months. My I've had coil fitted (august and cam out October and refitted jan).

On top of that if I ever request northisterone, trans acid or Mefanamic acid they don't ask questions and send to pharmacy for me.

AKissAndASmile · 06/02/2021 11:16

I was confused why your doctor is not letting you have it, but then you said your periods can go on for weeks. If this is the case then Tranexamic acid is not the correct thing to prescribe. Maybe you have risk factors for DVT (high BMI being one of them). You absolutely do need to go back to them for a gynae referral, though. You can't live like this.

SendMeHome · 06/02/2021 11:19

Tranexamic acid tablets are currently on the drug shortage list

This. There’s a shortage, that’s why you’re struggling to get it right now. It likely won’t matter who prescribes it, unless your hospital pharmacy has stocks.

Original poster
Giruse · 06/02/2021 11:35

They go on for weeks IF I don't take tranexamic acid. If I take it, this period will stop in a few days, I'll take it again at the start of the next one which will them be normalish duration.

I don't want to have to wait 6 months or more for a referral (which I don't want anyway) while I'm still bleeding like this.

I may have to try 111 later, I don't know if the out of hours has been closed due to Covid (it used to be at our local hospital - which doesn't have A&E) but if it's still open hopefully they will send me there.

If I'd just been given a repeat prescription this wouldn't be an issue.

OP posts:
RuggeryBuggery · 06/02/2021 11:39

Mine prescribed it over the phone for me this week for far less severe issues than it sounds you are having, also a referral for a scan when things are back up and running (not accepting new referral now apparently

bestbeforedateexpired · 06/02/2021 11:40

I think you are resigned to the situation because of your previous experiences with your GP. Please contact them again and be explicit about the impact this is having on your quality of life. State this even to the gatekeeper receptionist (don’t hold back). Utovan can help but there may be a shortage of that too. Please persist. I finally did early last year. I was referred to a consultant under the 2 week rule I had a transfusion then hysteroscopy and removal of a polyp at the height of the pandemic in April. My life has been transformed. At the age of 54 my periods are finally manageable. Don’t leave it as long as me.

AKissAndASmile · 06/02/2021 11:45

Well it's very odd then.

RamblingFar · 06/02/2021 11:46

As a prior poster has said - mefenamic acid works too. If there's a shortage of transexamic acid, try 111 to get a mefenamic acid prescription.

You can't take it with the ibuprofen, but it should be more effective and covers pain and excess bleeding.

Randomfatty · 06/02/2021 11:49

Hi I’d ring 111 and get an emergency prescription as I’ve had to do that as your periods sound awful. As for not prescribing - I would really challenge this - the coil, pill etc don’t work for me so I have been using these tablets for years - and my surgery hasn’t mentioned it. Although I did have to make a case for the repeat prescriptions - I would bleed so much I couldn’t actually go to work and it had a huge impact on my life. If there are none in stock they can give you a different hormonal tablet which I’ve also had which can reduce and then stop the bleeding?

Covidcorvid · 06/02/2021 11:53

I can’t even get feminex over the counter at the minute. All the chemists say there’s been a shortage for ages.

ArosAdraDrosDolig · 06/02/2021 11:56

It’s likely that they do have some stock but won’t sell it otc due to shortage. And they can order it in if prescribed. They can also use a generic rather than brand.

Why don’t you want a referral? That’s quite odd tbh.

jakeyboy1 · 06/02/2021 11:57

I have a child with a bleeding disorder. Transexemic acid is expensive that's likely why - well some forms are.
Have you tried an online doctor somethings can be prescribed online.
However transexemic acid will treat the bleeding but not the cause which is why your doctor may be reactant. If so though you need further investigation.
Have you thought about mini pill? I went on for this reason and you can stay on in menopause.

Exhausteddog · 06/02/2021 11:59

My teen DD has periods that last 3-4 weeks sometimes. She was prescribed tranexamic acid, but the gp told me you couldnt get it otc

Stoater · 06/02/2021 12:01

Think mefenamic acid is similar thing?

Covidcorvid · 06/02/2021 12:03

@jakeyboy1

I have a child with a bleeding disorder. Transexemic acid is expensive that's likely why - well some forms are. Have you tried an online doctor somethings can be prescribed online. However transexemic acid will treat the bleeding but not the cause which is why your doctor may be reactant. If so though you need further investigation. Have you thought about mini pill? I went on for this reason and you can stay on in menopause.
My Dd also has a bleeding disorder. She’s currently on her period and it’s pouring out like wee. She’s double stacking night time pads and going through two pads in 30mins.

The GP wants her to go on the pill but she tried it and didn’t like it and refuses to take it. So it’s a battle to get tranexamic or mefenemic acid....guess it’s a cost issue.

igotdemons · 06/02/2021 12:03

I had a Nurse happily prescribe Tranexamic Acid for me last year, although she did insist in seeing me first so she could examine me. It’s now on my repeat prescriptions. My periods restarted after losing weight (I have PCOS) and were very heavy to start with. So I don’t understand why a GP won’t prescribe some for you? I would definitely have a word with the Practice Manager.

AKissAndASmile · 06/02/2021 12:03

@Covidcorvid

I can’t even get feminex over the counter at the minute. All the chemists say there’s been a shortage for ages.
Does anyone else find it strange that so many meds that women rely on: lots of HRT, some mini pills, Tranexamic Acid and Feminax are out of stock?. What's going on?
AKissAndASmile · 06/02/2021 12:04

@igotdemons

I had a Nurse happily prescribe Tranexamic Acid for me last year, although she did insist in seeing me first so she could examine me. It’s now on my repeat prescriptions. My periods restarted after losing weight (I have PCOS) and were very heavy to start with. So I don’t understand why a GP won’t prescribe some for you? I would definitely have a word with the Practice Manager.
Out of interest what examination did she do?