Tranexamic Acid and Naproxen

[poorbuthappy]

I was originally prescribed Mefenanic Acid and Tranexamic Acid to deal with horrific period a few years ago.
I've since been changed to Naproxen as it's cheaper and do take quite regularly as I've suffered with period / ovulation pain I believe due to peri.
I've now been told by my doc that Naproxen and Tranexamic Acid can not be taken together.
I can not find anything online which agrees with this statement.
Has anyone else been told the same thing?

I was told the same by haematology.

Thanks @Tippytaps.
Did they give you any indication why?

Considering the most common reason for both medicines I can't believe I can't find anything reliable saying it online.

Its all very well treating the symptoms and these do need treating but the cause also needs to be properly established. Any pains that are cyclical in nature and or get worse up to and including menses should be checked out to see if endometriosis is the root cause.

May I ask how old you are now and when these pains started?.

I would seek a gynae referral for your periods as ongoing period pain is NOT normal and nor be seen as such. Its also likely not due to peri menopause. I note also that you've previously been prescribed tablets often give to women presenting with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common cause of such pains and many GPs even nowadays do not recognise or think of this as a possible cause.

(Tranexamic acid was prescribed in my particular circumstances relating to heavy bleeding and was completely useless).

I've been led to believe that you can indeed take these two medications together.

From the BNF, which is the main prescribing resource used in the UK:
“If drug treatment is required while investigations and definitive treatment is being organised, either tranexamic acid, or an NSAID [naproxen is one], or both, can be given.”

The BNF also doesn’t list any cross-reaction or caution between these two drugs

Thank you all.
@AttilaTheMeerkat I am 47. I had a very regular and reasonably light cycle up until 3 years ago where I got to the point where I was changing my pad every hour, blood clots which I could literally feel myself expelling, having to sit on the toilet for 30 mins at a time to ensure I didn't bleed through, pain so intense I couldn't stand if I was sat or sit if I was standing.
I do have gynae history in that I had my right ovary and fallopian tube out 17 years ago after a benign ovarian cyst was found when I was 20 weeks pregnant. My doc is very good - I am referred for scans whenever I ask because of my history. My last 1 was in November and was clear.
My smears are up to date.

I absolutely get that they should only be given during investigations but considering that no one has bothered investigating over the past few years it smarts a bit.

I have a call with the doctor tomorrow afternoon so shall see what they say.

I know what you've been going through re this bleeding and my cycle went from being very light to constant bleeding, clots and flooding. In my case it was caused by constantly rising and falling levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones.

I ended up having endometrial ablation surgery to stop it and it was the only treatment that actually worked.

(Unfortunately internal ultrasound scans will not detect endometriosis if it is at all present; its usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy).

Do let us know how you get on.

It sounds so horrible for you. I do hope the appointment moves things along.

@AttilaTheMeerkat - I've just come off the phone to the doctor and I do have another cyst on my left ovary. Apparently I would have eventually had a letter from the doc to tell me.
They aren't sure what effect (affect?? ) it is or isn't having on my system and cycle.
So gynae referral being done today for me.
I'm more annoyed that if I hadn't have asked for the tranexamic acid I still wouldn't be any the wiser.

Very good you called! Did you also get any further forward with the question of taking naproxen and tranexamic acid together? I hope you don’t have to wait long for your gynae appointment.

Hello @StoryOfANewName well sort of ish!
Doc said that naproxen can encourage bleeding, and the job of tranexamic acid is obviously to stop it. This apparently can lead to increase of very small risk of clots.
I've a good friend who takes naproxen to help her stop the bleeding so to be honest I don't know anymore!
Doc also said that they do not expect women to take tranexamic acid very month which again is not what I've heard.
The cyst information sort of blindsided me slightly.
I suppose I have to just cope until the referral comes through.

It is a lot all at once for you. I hope that seeing a specialist will shed some light on all these questions.