Tranexamic acid ineffective in preventing post-cesarean hemorrhage.
Tranexamic acid, a drug that slows the natural breakdown of blood clots, does not appear to be more effective than a placebo in reducing the need for blood transfusion or preventing maternal death in patients with increased risk for excessive bleeding because of cesarean delivery, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study included 11,000 patients from 31 birthing centers across the United States and found no benefit of the drug, compared to placebo. However, patients who received tranexamic acid had slightly less need for additional medical or surgical interventions to treat postpartum hemorrhage and a slightly lower drop in red blood cell count.