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Original poster

Tranexamic acid and vaccine

37 replies

Beetlecrusher · 06/04/2021 16:43

Hi,

Anyone take tranexamic acid and have any thoughts on the Astrazeneca vaccine? I take TA for three days every month for heavy periods, it works by causing the blood to clot, and has an increased risk of blood clots. Up until now I've been desperate to get my vaccine, but it occurred to me when I started taking the TA the other day, what if the blood clot risk concern is true. My sister lives in Canada, is three years younger than me (I'm 41) and they've suspended its use over there for under 55s, and have specified that women in particular are at increased risk. Otherwise I'm quite low risk for blood clots, maybe slightly overweight but that's it.

Anybody else who takes tranexamic acid have any worries about this? I'm thinking about getting an online consultation with the GP, but don't want to be "that" patient who reads something on the internet and instantly goes to their GP about it. If there wasn't another vaccine available, I'd probably go ahead and have it. But because there is, I'm wondering if I should be given or not given a particular one. I don't know, I want to get vaccinated, and I'm probably due to get called relatively soon, but it is playing on my mind a bit. I probably will email the GP, but thought I'd ask here if anybody had similar worries.

OP posts:
StainlessSteelCat · 06/04/2021 16:50

I got the AZ vaccine 2 weeks ago, and I decided not to take my transexamic acid when my period started 2 days ago. My reasoning is that the chances of it causing a clot is extremely small, but the consequences very bad, the consequences of not taking it are much less severe. The fact I don't have to take it also influenced my decision.
I haven't spoken to my go about this. It only occured to me that there could be problems when my period started 2 weeks late over the weekend.

Original poster
Beetlecrusher · 07/04/2021 09:35

I've now sent an email to the gp asking for advice. I'll see what they say.

I could not take the TA for a month or two. But I am very severely anaemic, and they think the TA helps with that. So although no immediate health risk, stopping taking it isn't completely risk-free.

OP posts:
StainlessSteelCat · 07/04/2021 14:33

Much better plan to listen to the GP 😁. Hopefully they will be able to reassure you.

Comefromaway · 07/04/2021 14:41

My daughter was on mefanamic acid for years for this issue but a coupl eof years ago she swopped to the pill. She is 19 and has had her 1st dose of AZ, due her 2nd dose in May.

PoppyRosie · 07/04/2021 16:24

Beetlecrusher - I have exactly the same concerns you as regarding the AZ vaccine and my tranexamic acid use. I’ll be really interested to see what advice your GP gives you if you don’t mind sharing?

Bugsy73 · 07/04/2021 16:44

I would imagine it would be ok to continue to take the TA. You only take it for a few days each month and it doesn't remain in your system I guess. I took TA for the first time this month.... have my second dose of AZ booked for 22nd. Sick of all the confusion around everything. I bloody hate Covid Sad.

emmathedilemma · 07/04/2021 16:50

Someone else asked about this, i think it was on the women's health forum but I don't recall seeing a definitive answer.

tf23 · 07/04/2021 16:56

Another one to say thanks for asking, it hadn't crossed my mind but it's a very good question.

DrunkenKoala · 07/04/2021 17:06

I’m in the same situation (although I’m not anemic) and have been thinking about how TA may react to the AZ vaccine and was thinking about speaking to my GP about it so would be interested to hear what your GP says.

GeorgeTheFirst · 07/04/2021 17:11

I do. It is very short lived in its effect isn't it, that's why you only take it as needed. I have had the AZ vaccine. Have I been on my period at the time I think I might have skipped the tranexamic acid for that one (and used loads of massive pads presumably.) I don't know how scientific this is. I was on my period during an overnight long-haul flight a couple of years ago go and I didn't take the tablets then either. But I don't think the tablets stay in your system for more than a few hours, that's why you only take them for a couple of days a month?

Original poster
Beetlecrusher · 08/04/2021 09:24

GP is ringing Friday or Monday, will update afterwards.

I'm sure it'll be fine, the risk is probably still very low. It's just that because I know about it, and because there's alternative vaccines, it's on my mind. I've got a list of things to check. Should I stop the TA? If so, for how long? Should I try and time the vaccine so I'm as far away from taking it as possible? Should I take aspirin? Should I have a different vaccine? It's funny, I didn't worry about clots when I started taking it, and I was on the pill for years in my 20s and 30s. I think it's the fact that there's two things adding risk now, rather than one.

OP posts:
misskatamari · 08/04/2021 11:07

If be interested to know this too. I don't take TA regularly, but was prescribed it a few months ago when I had an awful heavy period. I had the AZ vaccine 3 weeks ago, and have just come on, and I was wondering last night what the advice would be around taking it. I'm not planning on taking it this month anyway, but am interested in what the advice is

Oratio · 08/04/2021 11:28

Hi,
I've managed to find this forum and it's the only place online anybody actually raised a question about TA and AZ vaccine. I'm 44 and I have covid-19 antibodies. I also have an appointment for my vaccine next week. I'm really not convinced of accepting AZ vaccine as I can't see the benefits outweighing the risks in my case. I'm taking TA once a month. I'd be happy with moderna or Pfizer vaccine. I know that other countries stopped AZ for under 55s so I was disappointed with the decision to offer moderna and Pfizer to under 30s in the UK.
Let us know what your GP says about TA and AZ vaccine. I haven't had a chance to speak to anyone about it.

littlebauxpeep · 08/04/2021 11:32

I had the AZ vaccine 1 day after my period ended. I usually take 4 x tranexamic acid doses during my period.

I didn’t know I was going to have the AZ vaccine. So I had been taking the tranexamic acid as usual.

For some reason, when I came out, I decided to take an ibuprofen I had in the car. I think the blood clot concern had started in Europe. I’m not allowed to take ibuprofen as it is likely to thin my blood further (only advised not to last year, had taken it for 20 years beforehand!).

Outcome is: I was fine. I think my ibuprofen taking was me feeling like I was doing something to mitigate any blood clot risk. Especially as I’d been taking a large dose of tranexamic acid just before. This is highly likely to be dubious reasoning for the medically trained. But it made me feel safer - irrespective of whether it made any difference. I’m not suggesting anyone else do this.

I’m due my 2nd in June. I’m slightly worried as I had a horrendous headache/chills/feeling ill feeling for about 48-72 hours. The headache was the last thing to subside. It was manageable with painkillers (paracetamol and codeine) but not insignificant. The timing of my period and my 2nd dose is likely to influence my tranexamic acid taking. But I’m pretty sure I’m getting the 2nd dose unless more news comes out. I’m late 30s.

My consultant advised that the tranexamic acid can take a full day to work optimally (why it’s important to start, if possible before period is due). By that same token, it also leaves the system quickly...

Interested to hear what your GP says, OP. I’m going on for an op next week for which I will need IV tranexamic acid. I might ask them their view.

littlebauxpeep · 08/04/2021 11:33

4 x tranexamic doses per day during my period.

Not 4 doses in total!!! I have more than GP could authorise due to haematology consultant getting involved.

ittakes2 · 08/04/2021 11:43

My understanding of tranexamic acid is it only lasts 7-8 hrs so maybe time things around your period.
On a different note, 3 months of bi-monthly acupuncture completely resolved my heavy periods and shrunk my womb to a regular size.

Bugsy73 · 08/04/2021 12:37

Thanks bettlecrusher, would very much appreciate hearing what your GP has to say about it. So little seems to be currently known, its all a bit of a head spin.
I seemed to miss a period after my first vaccination, next period is due a week after I get the second unless the same happens.
Also have an appointment to have mirena coil fitted in a couple of weeks so hopefully won't need the TA after that.
Blimey, why does there have to be issues with the vaccine??? WHY??!! Confused

rosesinmygarden · 08/04/2021 12:55

@ittakes2

My understanding of tranexamic acid is it only lasts 7-8 hrs so maybe time things around your period. On a different note, 3 months of bi-monthly acupuncture completely resolved my heavy periods and shrunk my womb to a regular size.
This really interests me. Do you have any more details?

I've had nearly 5 years of horrendous periods and have tried an ablation, fibroid removal, mirena, tranexamic acid and now norethisterone.

Nothing works and the NHS won't give me a hysterectomy....

tootyfruitypickle · 08/04/2021 20:18

Would also like to hear what GP says

I had a period unexpectedly start after 6 months of nonexistent periods. Previously I always used transexamic acid for pain and flooding. I didn't take it then first day as was surprised to see period and had no pain.

Same day had an opportunity to get vaccine as a walk in, while waiting , I flooded badly (luckily black trousers!).

But decided not to take trans acid as again no pain (massively unusual in fact first period ever with no pain)

I've been badly flooding and huge clots. It's been 2 weeks of this and I emailed Gp this week - who prescribed me transexamic acid!! I did explain I'd had the vaccine.

Still not taken it though...

Cant understand why I have no pain. I think the flow is starting to ease a little.

Not sure whether to take it for next period what with second dose and all that. Assuming this period ever stops.

Pubbles123 · 08/04/2021 20:23

Obviously follow the advice of your GP but I had Covid (now long covid) last year and was told not to take Tranexamic Acid during that time by my GP (when I asked), I was obviosuly scared of blood clots as it was all over the news from Covid. Anyway I started taking it after about 4 months of Long Covid and have been Ok with it since but i haven't taken my normal dose still. In fact i haven't needed to...long covid side effect?!

tootyfruitypickle · 10/04/2021 07:17

Just wondered if anyone had any further thoughts on this as I'm at the point (3 weeks heavy bleeding and massive clots) where I feel I really need to take this now . A new box has been prescribed for me by the surgery and they know I had the vaccine a fortnight ago, so must be ok, but I'm nervous !

tootyfruitypickle · 10/04/2021 07:24

I'm just skimming a European report on deaths from clots after AZ and it looks like the majority of fatal clots occurred in people with a history of cardiac disease . Why on earth hasn't this been mentioned ? I am just skim reading so could be wrong but it stood out as a key fact .

tootyfruitypickle · 10/04/2021 07:34

Also, some of the woman who had clots had risk factors including being pregnant , in a fasting state, one report of someone on transexamic acid. Looks like early symptoms after vaccine, period of recovery then quick onset of worse symptoms 6-14 days. Doesn't seem like anyone developed clots later than that but as I said, I'm skimming (this is the EMA report ).

I'm going to take the transexamic acid I think as I'm more than 2 weeks post vaccination and won't take it in the two weeks post second dose. Be interested in other peoples conclusions on what they are doing .

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 10/04/2021 12:56

This is so interesting. It didn’t occur to me at all. I’m due a second AZ dose in a couple of months so will attempt to time it for the week after my period - I don’t think there would be any downside to that approach.

SelkieBeag · 10/04/2021 13:00

@tf23

Another one to say thanks for asking, it hadn't crossed my mind but it's a very good question.
I think it's a sensible question. I've always wondered how it targets menstrual blood. I always took it very carefully. On a back to back pill now but that's not without risk either of course.
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