Tranexamic acid

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Date: September 2026, Version 1.0

Quick read

Tranexamic acid is rarely used during pregnancy but may occasionally be recommended by a doctor or dentist. 

What is it?

Tranexamic acid (Cyklokapron®) is a medicine used to reduce heavy bleeding. It works by slowing the breakdown of blood clots.

Benefits

What are the benefits of taking tranexamic acid in pregnancy?

Tranexamic acid is most commonly used for heavy periods and is therefore rarely needed during pregnancy. However, it may occasionally be used to stop or prevent other types of severe bleeding, such as nosebleeds, and during dental surgery.

Risks

Are there any risks of taking tranexamic acid in pregnancy?

Very few pregnant women taking tranexamic acid have been studied. While the available information does not suggest it harms the baby, further research is required.

Alternatives

Are there any alternatives to taking tranexamic acid in pregnancy?

Your doctor or dentist will be able to advise you on possible alternatives.

No treatment

What if I prefer not to take tranexamic acid during pregnancy?

Your doctor or dentist will help you decide on the best treatment and will only recommend tranexamic acid during pregnancy when necessary.

Will my baby need extra monitoring during pregnancy? 

In the UK, you will be offered a detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check for birth defects as part of your routine antenatal care. Taking tranexamic acid does not require extra monitoring of your baby.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken tranexamic acid? 

We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father took tranexamic acid before or around the time your baby was conceived.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.