How does this antifibrinolytic What do I need to know before I Are there any side effects ? work ? use this drug ? Side effects are rare. Some mild side effects are: (Cyklokapron) Get in touch with your treatment centre before ▪ nausea you use tranexamic acid. Tell your doctor or ▪ feeling tired or sleepy ▪ is a drug that helps to hold a clot in place nurse about all other medicines you are taking. ▪ feeling dizzy long enough for healing. Some and some factor concentrates cannot ▪ diarrhea be used with tranexamic acid . ▪ having pain in your stomach ▪ does NOT help a clot to form . These mild side effects usually go away and if ▪ is only helpful once a clot has formed . When should I NOT use this drug ? not , you may be advised to take the with food. ▪ CANNOT be used instead of desmopressin or ▪ Tranexamic acid will NOT help bleeding in factor replacement . . Or after consulting the doctor at the clinic , you may be advised to : ▪ It should NOT be taken if you have in ▪ stop taking tranexamic acid, OR When can this drug be used? your urine. The reason is that a blood clot could cause a blockage in the urinary tract. ▪ take less tranexamic acid. It can be used to help hold a clot in place where there is a “mucous membrane”. This is soft, thin skin on your body found in: How will I take this drug ? For more information

▪ the inside of your mouth ▪ You can take it by mouth, in the form of pills Get in touch with your treatment centre if you ▪ the inside of your nose or mouth wash. Most people take it for 5-7 have questions about tranexamic acid. You can ▪ inside your intestines (or gut) days. also ask questions about your bleeding disorder. ▪ inside your uterus (or womb) ▪ If you find it hard to swallow pills, you can TREATMENT CENTRE: This drug may be used if you expect to bleed crush the pills and add them to food or when you go to the dentist. It can also help a liquids, such as juice. woman who is bleeding heavily during her menstrual period. ▪ Another way of taking this drug is by vein . This approach may be used prior to surgery . DOCTOR’S PHONE NUMBER(S):

▪ The amount you need now may not be the same as what you took before. For this reason, always check your dose carefully.

NURSE’S PHONE NUMBER(S): Acknowledgements The Canadian Hemophilia Society

The text was revised by members of the Canadian The Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS) strives TRANEXAMIC ACID Association of Nurses in Hemophilia Care (CANHC ): to improve the health and quality of life for all people with inherited bleeding disorders and to find a cure. Cyklokapron

The CHS consults qualified medical professionals Sherry Purcell, RN , nurse coordinator before distributing any medical information. South Eastern Ontario Regional However, the CHS does not practice medicine and A Guide Inherited Bleeding Disorders Program in no circumstances recommends particular Kingston General Hospital treatment for specific individuals. Brand names of for Patients N Kingston, ON treatment products are provided for information only. Their inclusion is not an endorsement of a Claudine Amesse, RN , nurse coordinator particular product or company. In all cases, it is and their Hemophilia Program strongly recommended that individuals consult a O CHU Sainte-Justine hemophilia-treating physician before pursuing Caregivers Montreal, QC any course of treatment. R For further information, please contact: Many thanks to those who reviewed this brochure:

Canadian Hemophilia Society P CANHC group 400-1255, University Street Montreal, Quebec Dr . Paula James , co-director H3B 3B6 A South Eastern Ontario Regional Inherited Bleeding Disorders Program Telephone: 514-848-0503 Kingston General Hospital Toll-free: 1-800-668-2686 Kingston, ON Fax: 514-848-9661 K E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Georges-Étienne Rivard , medical director Web site: www.hemophilia.ca Hemophilia Program O CHU Sainte-Justine Montreal, QC L K Y

www.hemophilia.ca C