Tranexamic Acid 500mg

What Are Tranexamic Acid Tablets?

Tranexamic Acid tablets contain 500 mg of the active ingredient tranexamic acid. They are an antifibrinolytic medication used to prevent excessive bleeding. That means it prevents the breakdown of blood clots, thereby reducing blood loss.

When bleeding occurs, your body forms clots to help stop the flow of blood. In some people, these blood clots break down, which increases blood loss. Tranexamic acid stops these clots from breaking down, preventing unnecessary bleeding. 

What is Tranexamic Acid Used For?

Tranexamic Acid is most commonly used by women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding, but can also be used by patients following bladder, prostate, or cervical surgery, with traumatic hyphema and by haemophiliacs after tooth extraction.

In the case of medical procedures, it usually comes as an injection to treat or prevent excessive blood loss from major trauma, postpartum bleeding, surgery, and tooth removal. Tranexamic Acid can also be used to treat Hereditary Angioedema (HAE), a condition that causes swelling in parts of the body.

It can be used for individuals with haemophilia, either as a preventative measure before surgery or as a treatment when excessive bleeding occurs.

Tranexamic Acid for Periods

The effects of heavy menstrual bleeding can be debilitating, contributing to increased fatigue, excessive pain, iron deficiency, and even affecting your mental health. You may suffer from abnormally heavy periods if you need to use a tampon or pad more than every two hours or if your bleeding lasts for more than seven days.

500mg Tranexamic Acid tablets can be used for four days during heavy menstrual bleeding to reduce the flow. As it helps prevent blood clots from breaking down, the treatment is not recommended for women with normal or mild flows.

If you’re specifically looking to delay your period, we recommend alternative treatments such as Norethisterone and Utovlan. 

How Does Tranexamic Acid Work for Heavy Periods?

Tranexamic acid reduces heavy period blood flow by stopping blood clots in the womb from breaking down. During menstruation, the lining of the womb is shed, which can cause small blood vessels to bleed. To help stop the bleeding, your body forms clots using a protein called fibrin. However, the womb lining contains enzymes that can break down these clots, allowing them to pass out of the body and resulting in a heavy flow.

Tranexamic acid works by preventing the body from breaking down fibrin in blood clots, keeping them intact. This allows them to seal the broken blood vessel and reduce bleeding.

Because tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic medication, it is not a hormone, so it doesn’t disrupt your natural hormone balance or stop your period completely; it just reduces the amount of blood you lose during a period.

How Long Does Tranexamic Acid Take to Work?

It can take up to 24 hours for tranexamic acid to take full effect. You’ll usually start taking tranexamic acid pills on the day your period begins for up to 4 days. You should notice that your period is lighter after about a day. 

How Effective is Tranexamic Acid for Heavy Periods?

Tranexamic acid can reduce blood loss during a period by 26 to 60% and is more effective than other medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some hormone-based therapies, and placebos. Therefore, tranexamic acid tablets are highly effective for people who have heavy periods and can significantly improve their quality of life.

How to Take Tranexamic Acid 500mg Tablets

You should only take tranexamic acid exactly as your doctor or clinician has told you to. When taking a tranexamic acid pill, you should swallow it whole with a glass of water; the break line on the pill is not intended to be broken in half. It must not be crushed or chewed. If you are unsure about taking tranexamic acid, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Tranexamic Acid 500mg Dosage for Heavy Periods

The usual dose of tranexamic acid for heavy periods is 2 x 500mg tablets taken three times a day. This can be increased to a maximum of 4 g per day, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

Your doctor will choose the right dose for you, and it will be clearly printed on the label on the medication box. If it does not or you do not understand the dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 

How Long Should I Use Tranexamic Acid?

This medication is used only for a short time, or until the bleeding has stopped. For heavy periods, it’s advised to take tranexamic acid for up to four days from the start of menstruation. If bleeding does not stop on its own, contact your doctor for help.

What Happens If You Take Too Much Tranexamic Acid?

Taking too much tranexamic acid can cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness when you stand, or seizures. If you take too much of this medication, you must see a doctor or go to your nearest A&E, making sure you take the medicine and its patient leaflet with you.

What if I Miss a Dose of Tranexamic Acid?

If you forget to take a dose of Tranexamic acid, do not take a double dose to make up for it. Instead, skip the missed dose and take your next one as planned.

Tranexamic Acid Side Effects

Like all medications, Tranexamic Acid 500mg can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. It’s important to be aware of potential adverse effects before you start taking the treatment.

Serious Side Effects of Tranexamic Acid

If you get any of the following rare or very rare side effects, you must stop taking tranexamic acid and get immediate medical advice.

Other Tranexamic Acid Side Effects

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking tranexamic acid and tell your doctor straight away.

If you get any tranexamic acid side effects, including any that aren’t listed, you should report them to your doctor. Alternatively, you can report them to the Yellow Card Scheme. By reporting side effects, you’ll help provide more information about the safety of tranexamic acid.

Tranexamic Acid Tablets Interactions and Warnings

Although effective for heavy periods, Tranexamic Acid 500mg tablets may not be suitable for everyone. Do not take the medication if you:

• Are allergic to tranexamic acid or any other ingredients listed in the medication 
• Have kidney failure or a serious kidney issue
• Have or have ever had a blood clot in your blood vessels called a thrombosis
• Have a history of convulsions (fits)
• Are at risk of excessive bleeding because of a blood disorder called consumption coagulopathy

Tranexamic Acid Precautions

Before taking tranexamic acid tablets for heavy periods, tell the doctor or pharmacist if you:

• Have blood in your urine
• Have ever had uncontrolled bleeding
• Have disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which causes your blood to clot throughout your body
• Have been taking medicine to treat angioneurotic oedema (HANO) every day for a long time
• Are a woman who has irregular periods
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Have kidney disease

Tranexamic Acid Interactions

It's important to note that Tranexamic Acid may interact with certain medications. Therefore, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are currently taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines, to avoid any potential drug interactions. This especially applies to:

• Fibrinolytic medicines such as streptokinase, because tranexamic acid will stop them from working 
• Oral contraceptives which can increase the risk of blood clots

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should speak to your doctor before taking tranexamic acid.

Where Can I Buy Tranexamic Acid in the UK?

Some Tranexamic Acid 500mg tablets are a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a prescription from a qualified health professional before you can get them, either privately or on the NHS. You will need a short consultation, either face-to-face or online, so that a clinician can make sure tranexamic acid is right for you. 

Can You Buy Tranexamic Acid Over the Counter?

No, you cannot buy prescription-only tranexamic acid over the counter. You must have a prescription from a clinician. They must make sure it is safe for you to take and that you do not have any underlying health conditions or that you are not taking any medications that may interact with tranexamic acid and make it unsafe.

However, an alternative product, Evana Heavy Period Relief, does not require a prescription and can be obtained after a pharmacist screening. Evana contains 500 mg of tranexamic acid.

Is Tranexamic Acid on the NHS?

Yes, you may be able to get tranexamic acid on the NHS for heavy periods, but you will need to make an appointment with your GP first. They will then discuss your symptoms and medical history to make sure tranexamic acid is an appropriate treatment for you. 

Can I Buy Tranexamic Acid Online?

Yes, you can buy tranexamic acid online from trusted providers such as Prescription Doctor. Tranexamic Acid 500mg Tablets require an online medical consultation for review by a medical team. It is then determined whether it is safe, appropriate, and effective for an individual.

If your order is approved, we will dispatch your medication in plain, discreet packaging to maintain confidentiality. If your order is approved before 3 pm on a weekday, you can expect to receive your medication as early as the next day.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Tranexamic Acid 500mg

Sources

EMC (2025): Tranexamic Acid 500 mg Tablets. 
EMC (2026): Patient Information Leaflet.
International Journal of Women's Health (2012): Tranexamic acid for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding: efficacy and safety.
NHS (2023). About tranexamic acid.