Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a synthetic antifibrinolytic agent widely used to prevent and control excessive bleeding by inhibiting the breakdown of blood clots. It is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine and works by blocking the binding of plasminogen to fibrin, thereby reducing fibrinolysis and stabilizing formed clots. Tranexamic acid was first developed in 1962 by Japanese researchers Shosuke Okamoto and Utako Okamoto, who sought a more effective treatment for hemorrhagic conditions. Since its introduction into clinical practice in the 1960s, TXA has become an essential medication in various medical specialties, including trauma, surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, and dentistry. Its effectiveness in reducing mortality from severe bleeding was further established by major clinical trials such as the CRASH-2 trial, leading to its inclusion on the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient treatment for hemorrhage.
