Tranexamic acid and Nausea: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2018

For Menstrual Disorders "I was prescribed this medicine by my OBGYN for heavy menstrual cycles. I was hesitant to take it due to how many you had to take (2 pills 3 times a day). I wouldn't recommend this medicine to anyone. My body has not been the same since. It did lighten my flow, however, I went to the ER multiple times. I have continued heart palpitations, body aches, chest pain, SOB, horrible headaches, body shivers, numbness in limbs, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea. This medicine has totally messed me up. I stopped over 2 months ago, and the symptoms still haven't stopped."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2016

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I started taking Lysteda 3 months ago. The first month was great, except once I was done, my period came back but not heavy. The next month, I had 2.5 days of mess, and my period stopped. I didn't take any more as it makes me feel like crap. Now, 49 days later, I still haven't had a period. Not sure I will take this again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2022

Tranexamic acid for Menstrual Disorders "After my first two doses of Lysteda, I got very sick to my stomach, horrible abdominal pain, vomiting, and a very bad headache. I also feel very stiff in my joints, and I'm a very active person, so that is not common for me because I stretch regularly. Neck pain, elbow, and knee pain. I'm also very lightheaded and dizzy. I only took 4 total doses, and I have been so sick for two days, and my bleeding did not reduce, nor did the cramps, like my doctor said they would. I ended up dealing with my typical horrible period pains/frustrations, as well as new side effects and pain from being so sick. I missed two days of work. I know this drug works well for a lot of people, but absolutely not for me."

• Suz...
• November 15, 2015

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I can't say enough about this drug. I've been on it three months now. Before taking this, my periods were so bad that, the first couple nights of my period, I'd wake up and, despite having the heaviest duty pads, the sheets would be soaked. I would change pads at least every hour or two during the first couple days. Now I take two pills a day, one at night and one in the morning, and I am using very light pads with no accidents. The downside is that I do feel a bit of nausea and have slight headaches while taking these pills. Also, I do seem to spot for about a week after my period would usually end. The bleeding was just so awful, though, that I am willing to live with these side effects. It really works, and it works fast."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 12, 2016

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I started my period at 8 years old, and it's always been a nightmare. I would have such heavy periods that I didn't go to school for the first three days. I eventually had to become homeschooled due to my period. I had cramps that sent me to the hospital and could never hold anything down. I've been to so many doctors who just put me on birth control, which made me gain weight and feel very nauseous. It worked, it stopped my period, but of course, that's not healthy. Ten years later, I still have the same symptoms, however, a doctor gave me the holy grail combination. She told me to mix ibuprofen and tranexamic acid together for the first days. This combination is amazing. Only take at the first sight of bleeding, it can push it back."

• MPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2018

Tranexamic acid for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I couldn't continue using the medication. After the second dose of the 2 pills, I experienced horrid side effects. Joint and muscle pain, as if someone took a bat to my body, nausea and horrid stomach cramps, along with my menstrual cramps, and the cherry on top... bad headache with a faint feeling. I was useless at work. I'd rather deal with the heavy bleeding/staining for two days than go through the side effects again. NOPE... not for me."

• Ten...
• December 2, 2019

For Bleeding Disorder "I had an episode of severe gushing bleeding so bad that I have to change a super max pad in 30 minutes and my knickers and pajamas every time. I was diagnosed with fibroids a few months ago. I was then taken in an ambulance as I was hypotensive and severely anemic. In the hospital, they transfused me with blood and gave me tranexamic acid IV. As soon as I had the injection, I had the worst side effects - chest pain, heaviness in the chest, unusual pain, right leg calf muscle cramping, nausea and vomiting, cough, stuffy nose. I told my doctor and I stopped taking it. The medication surely lightens the bleeding, but the side effects were equally bad for me."

• mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2019

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I'm so happy I found this forum. I've always had very heavy periods. I lose over 120 mL of blood during the first 12 hours of my day 1 alone! I was told I have chronic anemia. I found out a couple of months ago that I have fibroids as well. I recently had the fibroids removed (hopefully forever) and was prescribed tranexamic acid, 1 pill every 8 hours (I only take 2 a day, personal preference) for a max of 4 days. On my day one, once I took the pill, my period stopped instantly. Throughout the week, I would check to see if it would come, as I read the drug won't stop your period but lighten it. I was only spotting on and off. I had no period for 4 days. The following day I stopped the pill, the side effects were horrible! Stomach cramping, nausea, bloating, and headaches. My period began and is super light. I never thought I would ever be happy about taking pharmaceutical medication. I feel like I can actually live my life!"

• tra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2025

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I have suffered from heavy bleeding, golf ball-sized clots, and instead of having a hysterectomy, I take this medication (650mg), 2 tablets three times a day. The dosage is hard to tolerate, so I try to do one tablet, but if needed, I increase to two tablets. This medication definitely helps slow down bleeding and the clotting. Some of the side effects I've experienced are weakness, headache, and nausea. When I take two tablets three times a day, I feel a little drunk for some reason. The side effects are not ideal, but benefits outweigh the side effects in my case."

• jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2018

For Menstrual Disorders "I’m 18 years old and experience extremely heavy and painful periods. My mother has endometriosis, and as it is hereditary, worries I may have it too. My GP prescribed me this as a trial before the pill, and during the first 3 days of me taking two 500 mg tablets 3x a day, I experienced no change in the amount I was bleeding (in fact, I was heavier than I've ever been on the first day), and my cramps were so bad I laid crying on the floor. It made me nauseous, and I had a migraine for my whole period. My doctor said this might just be my body getting used to the drug, so I tried it again for my next 3 periods and still the same result. My most recent period, I decided not to take the tablets, and my period was suddenly really watery, however, it was still heavy and had the pain again. Not sure what I’m going to do now. It works for some, but I personally would not recommend."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2018

For Menstrual Disorders "The first time I used this medicine as instructed - 2 pills 3x daily. I was instructed to use it for 5 days, but I did not reach day 5 because of the side effects. This time around, I only used 2 pills on Days 1 & 2, and I definitely have experienced more side effects than I expected - dizziness and nausea on day 1 and then diarrhea on day 2. However, it is worth it in my opinion. I did Pilates today without an issue... I could never do that with my heavy period (fibroid related)!!! Now I can pop a pill and go out to dinner an hour later without having to worry about wearing white. Huge relief."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 20, 2020

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "Tranexamic made me a tad nauseous, but it was worth it. Before this drug, I had so much anxiety around my period because it was so heavy. It meant I couldn’t function and lived in constant fear of embarrassment. I even couldn’t attend school sometimes because it was just a nightmare to deal with. My period is still heavy on this medication, but not as bad as before, at least I could get through class without too much stress about leakage. It got me through school. The only reason I stopped taking this medication was because I got diagnosed with endometriosis, so I’m exploring other, more effective treatment options."

• tor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2019

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I'd always had heavy periods since I started, but when I was around 14, they rose in intensity and were joined by sharp pains about where I believe the ovaries are. Not to be gross, but my periods would fill heavy pads, were slightly thick in consistency, and ruby in color. I got weak, pale, and confused, so a locum doctor prescribed me 3x500mg tranexamic acid (TXA) 3-4 times a day for 4 days, starting on day 1 of the cycle, plus 1x5mg Stemetil as an antiemetic (sickness/nausea). I took the TXA 1x500mg on the first day of my period with another a day or two later if I needed it because I was scared if I got injured, I'd bleed out. My periods were still dark but less volume, cramps remained but were manageable. It stayed that way until I was 17 years old (being on Microgynon twice and then Depo-Provera has upset my uterus, it would seem). I actually stopped taking it within a year of starting. I'm now 19, and if my bleeds don't settle down (effects of Depo-Provera), I may ask about TXA again."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2024

For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding "I am on day 4 and it’s been a major relief! The first 24 hours I thought it wasn’t going to work. I had a horrible pounding headache, was very sleepy all day and felt dizzy and nauseated. However, that went away and on day 2 I began seeing major differences. I only have one more day left to take it, so just hoping after the 5th day it doesn’t come rushing back because it’s been a game changer. I don’t dread my periods anymore."