1. How Tranexamic Acid Powder Works
Tranexamic acid is synthetic lysine derivative and has action of plasminogen activator inhibitor and that of plasmin which is involved in process of fibrinolysis. As an antifibrinolytic agent, TXA inhibits the formation of plasmin that breaks up blood clots, thereby strengthens coagulation and minimize bleeding. This mechanism explains why it can be widely used in almost any specialty of medicine including surgery or dermatology.
2. Tranexamic Acid Powder Health Benefits
– Hemostatic Applications of Tranexamic Acid Powder
Tranexamic acid powder is mainly used in cases of hyperfibrinolysis such as surgery, trauma or menstrual hemorrhage. The following are notable applications:
– Surgical Hemostasis: In orthopedic, cardiac and liver surgeries, TXA is useful in reducing perioperative blood loss. A meta-analysis has proved that the use of TXA in surgical patients decreases the risk of blood transfusion greatly .
– Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH): TXA has also played a successful role in minimizing blood loss in cases of PPH. The WHO now advocates for its use in managing this deadly disease .
– Dental Procedures: It is administered in patients with bleeding disorders who are to undergo dental surgical procedures. It is used locally as a mouthwash or taken internally to decrease blood loss after an operation .
3. Dermatological Applications
Tranexamic acid powder has gained popularity in dermatology, particularly for its efficacy in treating hyperpigmentation disorders:
– Melasma Treatment: Melasma, a persistent skin disorder that manifests itself as brown discoloration of the face, is not easy to cure. Tranexamic acid decreases melanogenesis since it prevents the discharge of inflammatory mediators. Oral and topical formulations of TXA have been shown to be beneficial in melasma condition .
– Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): TXA has also been researched to treat PIH that causes acne, burns and other skin traumas. Research has shown that it minimizes the intensity and the length of time the pigmentation change takes.
4. Tranexamic Acid Powder: Intended Use and Dosage
– Hemostatic Uses and Clinical Dosage
The dosage of tranexamic acid varies depending on the indication and patient’s condition:
– Surgical Bleeding Prevention: In major surgery, the drug is given intravenously in a dose of 10-15 mg/kg of body weight. Certain guidelines call for the drug to be given before surgery and then to be maintained during the postoperative phase to maintain the antifibrinolytic action.
– Postpartum Hemorrhage: For PPH, the recommended dose is 1 gm intravenously given with the repeat dose if bleeding persists after 30 min. This is done as part of a standard management protocol for PPH.
– Menorrhagia: Patients with heavy menstrual bleeding can benefit from the oral doses of 1-1.5 g 2-3 times a day during the menstruation period. The course of treatment, as a rule, takes 4-5 days per cycle.
5. Dermatological Dosage
Dermatological use of tranexamic acid, particularly for melasma and hyperpigmentation, follows a different dosage regimen:
– Oral Administration: The dose of oral tranexamic acid for melasma treatment is believed to be 250-500 mg daily according to the research done. The duration of treatment may be extended to 3-6 months to achieve the best outcome .
– Topical Application: Concentrations vary from 2-5% for topical formulations in the case of the present studies. This has to be applied directly to the affected areas, preferably in the morning and evening, together with other skin lightening products.
5. Safety and Side Effects
Tranexamic acid side effects are rare but it, like all medicines, involves some risks especially if taken in the long term or in high doses.
– Hematological Risks
The major risk associated with the use of TXA is its risk of causing thrombosis. It is not recommended for use in patients with thromboembolic history including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Prolonged use, particularly at high concentrations, raises the risk of thromboembolic events and coagulation profiles should be supervised when using TXA.
-. Dermatological Side Effects
Tranexamic acid is usually safe when applied locally. However, some of the patients may encounter mild skin inflammation or contact eczema. When given orally the drug may cause side effects that affect the gastrointestinal system; these include nausea, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
References
1. Ker K, Edwards P, Perel P, et al. Effect of tranexamic acid on surgical bleeding: systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012;344:e3054.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Recommendation on Tranexamic Acid for the Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage. 2017.
3. Carter G, Goss A. Tranexamic acid mouthwash—a prospective randomized study of a 2-day regimen vs 5-day regimen to prevent postoperative bleeding in oral surgery in anticoagulated patients. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2003;32(5):504-507.
4. Kim EH, Kim YH, Lee ES, Kang HY. The effect of tranexamic acid on melasma: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68(1):68-75.
5. Steiner D, Feola C, Rivitti EA, Souza PK. Oral tranexamic acid in the treatment of melasma: A comprehensive review. J Dermatol Treat. 2020;31(8):757-761.
6. Henry DA, Carless PA, Moxey AJ, et al. Anti-fibrinolytic use for minimising perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011.
7. WOMAN Trial Collaborators. Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with postpartum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2017;389(10084):2105-2116.
8. Lethaby A, Farquhar C, Cooke I. Antifibrinolytics for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000.
9. Wu S, Shi H, Wu Y, et al. The efficacy of oral tranexamic acid combined with laser in the treatment of melasma: A meta-analysis. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(1):e14680.
10. Cho HH, Kim YK, Kim JW, et al. Melasma treatment in Korean women: Combination of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and glutathione. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(1):232-237.
11. Dunn CJ, Goa KL. Tranexamic acid: A review of its use in surgery and other indications. Drugs. 1999;57(6):1005-1032.
12. Saki N, Darayesh M, Mozafarpoor S, et al. Tranexamic acid in treatment of melasma: A comprehensive review of clinical studies. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(2):e13405.
