Tranexamic acid increases hemoglobin and ferritin levels in women with heavy menstrual bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in women. A novel, modified-release oral formulation of tranexamic acid (TA) designed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects was approved recently for treatment of HMB. We assessed improvements in objective laboratory measures of IDA in women with self-reported HMB who received long-term TA therapy. Women enrolled in a long-term, open-label, multicenter study self-medicated with TA 3.9 g/day administered as 1.3 g orally up to three times daily for 5 days/menstrual cycle for 27 cycles. Oral iron therapy was required if serum hemoglobin (Hgb) levels decreased to