Source: European Medicines Agency (EU) Revision Year: 2019
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antihemorrhagics, Antifibrinolytics
ATC code: B02AA02
Tranexamic acid exerts an anti haemorrhagic activity by inhibiting the fibrinolytic properties of plasmin.
A complex involving tranexamic acid, plasminogen is constituted; the tranexamic acid being linked to plasminogen when transformed into plasmin. The activity of the tranexamic acid-plasmin complex on the activity on fibrin is lower than the activity of free plasmin alone. In vitro studies showed that high tranexamic dosages decreased the activity of complement.
Literature review identified 12 efficacy studies in paediatric cardiac surgery which have included 1073 children, 631 having received tranexamic acid. Most of them were controlled versus placebo. Studied population was heterogenic in terms of age, surgery types, dosing schedules. Study results with tranexamic acid suggest reduced blood loss and reduced blood product requirements in paediatric cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) where there is a high risk of haemorrhage, especially in cyanotic patients or patients undergoing repeat surgery. The most adapted dosing schedule appeared to be:
While studied in very few patients, the limited data suggest that continuous infusion is preferable, since it would maintain therapeutic plasma concentration throughout surgery.
No specific dose-effect study or PK study has been conducted in children.
Peak plasma concentrations of tranexamic acid are obtained rapidly after a short intravenous infusion after which plasma concentrations decline in a multi-exponential manner.
The plasma protein binding of tranexamic acid is about 3% at therapeutic plasma levels and seems to be fully accounted for by its binding to plasminogen. Tranexamic acid does not bind to serum albumin. The initial volume of distribution is about 9 to 12 liters.
Tranexamic acid passes through the placenta. Following administration of an intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg to 12 pregnant women, the concentration of tranexamic acid in serum ranged 10-53 μg/mL while that in cord blood ranged 4-31 μg/mL. Tranexamic acid diffuses rapidly into joint fluid and the synovial membrane. Following administration of an intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg to 17 patients undergoing knee surgery, concentrations in the joint fluids were similar to those seen in corresponding serum samples. The concentration of tranexamic acid in a number of other tissues is a fraction of that observed in the blood (breast milk, one hundredth; cerebrospinal fluid, one tenth; aqueous humor, one tenth). Tranexamic acid has been detected in semen where it inhibits fibrinolytic activity but does not influence sperm migration.
It is excreted mainly in the urineas unchanged drug. Urinary excretion via glomerular filtration is the main route of elimination. Renal clearance is equal to plasma clearance (110 to 116 mL/min). Excretion of tranexamic acid is about 90% within the first 24 hours after intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg body weight. Elimination half-life of tranexamic acid is approximately 3 hours.
Plasma concentrations increase in patients with renal failure. No specific PK study has been conducted in children.
Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential and toxicity to reproduction. Epileptogenic activity has been observed in animals with intrathecal use of tranexamic acid.
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