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Women's health

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Original poster

How quick does Tranexamic Acid take to work?

29 replies

Bugsy73 · 04/04/2021 21:11

As above! Started period on Friday, has been fairly standard and manageable up until this evening when I have had to change tampon 4 times since 6pm. I have taken 2 tranexamic acid tablets just now, first time since having them prescribed last month. Obviously I wont get another dose in before I go to bed, is the one dose likely to have any impact? Or am I going to be up all night.....

OP posts:
Original poster
Bugsy73 · 04/04/2021 21:35

Apologies for badly worded title by the way Blush

OP posts:
Eloisedublin123 · 04/04/2021 21:36

First lot will definitely help tonight!

SnarkyBag · 04/04/2021 21:37

They work fairly quickly IMO although I start taking them the first day and for the three days in total. Occasionally when I haven’t done that and taken them on day two they seem to slow things down quite quickly

Original poster
Bugsy73 · 04/04/2021 21:48

Thank you. I hope they have some effect. I have an appointment to have the mirena coil fitted in May. I have very low tolerance for troublesome periods Grin. Took them about 8:45pm, if I manage to stay awake till midnight should I take another dose? And one as soon as I wake up? Do I keep taking them even after things have slowed down? Thank you, I appreciate the support!

OP posts:
Eloisedublin123 · 04/04/2021 22:18

I think it’s a dose every 8 hours?

WeeMadArthur · 04/04/2021 22:21

I hope they work for you @Bugsy73, I tried them but they made no difference to me, no idea why as they seem to work for others.

Original poster
Bugsy73 · 04/04/2021 22:26

Have you tried anything else WeeMadArthur?

OP posts:
SnarkyBag · 04/04/2021 22:27

I take 2 x tablets three times a day for up to three days but it should say on your prescription?

CanIHaveAHolidayPlease · 04/04/2021 22:28

They work for me within about half an hour of taking them.
I take them alongside Mefenamic Acid.

Original poster
Bugsy73 · 04/04/2021 22:34

Snarkybag, just checked, my prescription is the same. Had in my head was 4 times a day. Will leave it till tomorrow. Hopefully the one dose will see me through to the morning.

OP posts:
userxx · 04/04/2021 22:37

Is this prescription only? I think I need to look into it. I'm starting to feel housebound these days whilst on my period.

Eloisedublin123 · 04/04/2021 22:53

Try nurofen first

gingeristhenewblack43 · 04/04/2021 22:56

With tranexamic acid you should start taking them as soon as your period starts, not wait until your flow gets heavy. Then you should only need to take them for 3-4 days 3 times per day if I remember correctly.

From what I remember from my GP is that the fresh red blood is from blood vessels that lead to your uterus. Some women have very heavy periods as those blood vessels are very wide and cause gushes of fresh red blood / clots. Taking tranexamic acid reduces the blood vessels therefore preventing fresh blood loss.

If you are waiting until you develop heavy flow then you've missed the boat in terms of the medication working correctly.

gingeristhenewblack43 · 04/04/2021 22:59

@Eloisedublin123 nuerofen will not impact on menstrual flow, it is an anti inflammatory to ease period pain.

Eloisedublin123 · 04/04/2021 23:08

I think the ibrufen in nurofen can be used to slow down Menstrual flow actually 🧐

userxx · 04/04/2021 23:09

@Eloisedublin123 you're correct, Ive just googled it. Who knew! Will give that a whirl next month 👍

Eloisedublin123 · 04/04/2021 23:12

Yeah it’s useful as a first step!

Original poster
Bugsy73 · 05/04/2021 08:32

Made it through the night... period now very light Confused. Do I take more tablets or am I done now for this month?? They definitely stopped it in its tracks last night. Thanks for all the advice. I can't wait to try the coil. I'm going to call GP tomorrow and see if I can get an earlier appointment. I'm just relieved that I was at home when in started gushing. Dread to think what I'd have done if I'd been at work or out and about somewhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bugsy73 · 05/04/2021 08:34

userxx, yes its on prescription. Definitely have a chat with your GP. My periods have always been manageable but the last few have left me anxious about straying too far from the bathroom.

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M0nstermunch · 05/04/2021 11:00

Sorry to hijack, but has anyone found this increases the frequency of their periods. I tried it for the first time last month, probably day 2 or 3 of my period when I started getting the really painful cramps and it definitely helped. Couldn't believe the difference in pain and flow. But now 2 and half weeks later I have another period. Just as heavy as normal.

Original poster
Bugsy73 · 05/04/2021 11:30

MOnstermunch, I'm not sure as this is the first time I've taken them. I've just had another dose as heavy flow again. I'm guessing I do need to take them regularly during the period. Is this what you did? I don't know why I thought I could get away with just the one dose. Did it lengthen your period?

OP posts:
M0nstermunch · 05/04/2021 11:58

I took 10 tablets over 2 days in doses of 2's. It lengthened it by a day I would say. It has put me off taking any on this extra period. I can cope with the flow even though its so heavy it was the pain that was so bad I couldn't sleep. So unless I'm at that stage I'm going to leave it. Think mine is all down to the Cooper coil as my periods weren't bad before.

Potpourriandpennysweets · 05/04/2021 12:04

@CanIHaveAHolidayPlease

Do you take them at the same time or stagger them? I have both prescribed but didn't realise I could take them together (D'oh!)

CanIHaveAHolidayPlease · 06/04/2021 13:49

[quote Potpourriandpennysweets]@CanIHaveAHolidayPlease

Do you take them at the same time or stagger them? I have both prescribed but didn't realise I could take them together (D'oh!) [/quote]

I am pill popping every 2 hours during my period because I have fibroids which cause heavy bleeding. I would urge anyone struggling to get checked out specifically for fibroids.

To get through to day my medication is as follows:
7am: tranexamic acid
9am: mefenaic acid
11am: tranexamic acid
1pm: mefenamic acid

And so on and so forth, obvs this isn't advice as to how you take your medication. Id check with you GP first. Hope this helps!

Hardchoices · 06/04/2021 13:54

To Becker from them take them every 8 hours on the dot from when you start bleeding for 4 days. Taking them as and when will not be effective at all.